Renfrew Colloquium

Bridging ideas, sparking innovation 

The Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium is a cornerstone lecture series at University of Idaho that brings together distinguished members of the university to present their teaching and research across a wide array of disciplines. Now in its third decade, the colloquium showcases how each academic field approaches inquiry — from the questions it seeks to answer to the methods and vocabularies it uses. This exploration helps foster a deeper appreciation for the intellectual diversity that defines a university community.

Open to students, employees and the public, the weekly lectures spark dialogue that can lead to meaningful collaboration across departments and colleges. In 2015, the series was recognized with University of Idaho's Award for Excellence in Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Efforts. The colloquium is proudly sponsored by the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences and U of I Library.

Join us as we celebrate the power of diverse perspectives to address complex challenges, generate novel insights and engage in conversations that extend far beyond the classroom. 

A platform for interdisciplinary exchange

Presentation topics span the arts, sciences, humanities and social sciences, reflecting the diverse expertise and creativity of our academic community.

Details

  • When: Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. PT
  • Where: First floor, University of Idaho Library, Moscow, ID
  • Who should attend: Open to all students, employees and members of the public 

*All sessions run 12:30-1:20 p.m. Tuesdays on the first floor of the University Library, except for Sept. 30, which will be in the Vandal Ballroom of the Bruce Pitman Center.

Weekly schedule

  1. Sept. 2: Bert Baumgaertner, Politics and Philosophy 

    – EASY for humans, HARD for AI: Metaphor Abstraction and Reasoning

  2. Sept. 9: Nels Reese, Architecture (emeritus) 

    – The Kibbie Dome Becomes History

  3. Sept. 16: Rebecca Scofield, History 

    – Burn It All Down: The Feminist Imagination in 20th Century Dragon Riding Fiction

  4. Sept. 23: Markie McBrayer, Politics and Philosophy 

    – Voices and Votes: Democracy in America

  5. Sept. 30*: Emine Arol, visiting scholar; sponsored by the Borah Symposium 

    – Great Power Competition in the 21st Century: A View from the Middle East

  6. Oct. 7: Chris Zajchowski, Natural Resources and Society 

    – “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”: Air Quality and Behavioral Decision-Making

  7. Oct. 14: Alex Ruble, History 

    – Perpetual Prisoners: The Postwar Lives of Hitler’s Political Enemies

  8. Oct. 21: Melissa Davlin, Idaho Public Television (UI/JAMM alumnus) – Behind the Scenes at “Idaho Reports”

  9. Oct. 28: John Shovic and Brent Knopp, Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics 

    – Project Evergreen: An Autonomous Weed Eradication Robot

  10. Nov. 4: David Pimentel, Law 

    – The Blues and the Rule of Law: Musical Expressions of the Failure of Justice as a Catalyst for Change

  11. Nov. 11: Scott Nuismer, Biological Sciences 

    – Stopping Spillover Before It Occurs: Insights from Mathematical Models and Lassa Virus

  12. Nov. 18: Terrance Grieb, Business, and Steven Peterson, Economics 

    – Impact of Tariffs on International Trade, U.S. Consumers and Financial Markets

  13. Nov. 25: NO COLLOQUIUM – Thanksgiving Break

  14. Dec. 2: Moritz Cleve, Journalism and Mass Media 

    – Labels, Stereotypes and Bandwagons: How Social Media Shape Stereotypes and Emotions Towards Immigrants

  15. Dec. 9: Katharine Kolpan, Culture, Society and Justice 

    – How Ethics and Politics Affect Methods for Biological Anthropology and Archaeology

Explore archives

Connect to the library to see past colloquium content.

Colloquium archives

Why attend? Engage. Learn. Connect.

The Renfrew Colloquium is a weekly opportunity to dive into timely topics and global challenges through the lens of the colleges and disciplines across the university. Connect with scholars, researchers and professionals to broaden your understanding of how different disciplines intersect to solve complex issues. The colloquium fosters lifelong learning and offers a space to expand your thinking in a community environment. 

A Legacy of innovation

Malcolm Renfrew was not only a distinguished chemist but also a gifted artist, U of I educator and advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration. Renfrew’s influence extended far beyond the laboratory — he championed the integration of science and the humanities, believing that the most pressing challenges required insight from multiple fields. His vision helped shape the university’s collaborative and innovative culture and the colloquium named in his honor continues to embody these values today. His legacy lives on through the generations of students, faculty and researchers who continue to explore the intersections of knowledge he so deeply valued. 

Join the conversation

Interested in presenting or joining as a participant? We welcome new voices to enrich our discussions.

  • Present your work: Submit a proposal to share your research or creative project.
  • Attend a session: All are welcome to join the dialogue and explore new perspectives.
  • Stay informed: Subscribe to our newsletter to receive weekly email updates about upcoming presentations.

Contact us to present

Have questions?

For inquiries about the colloquium, reach out to our team at mric@uidaho.edu.