One theme. Five minutes. Unlimited possibilities. That was the recipe the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) used to close out its inaugural Human Factor Speaker Series, featuring faculty and students giving concise talks about food’s role in culture, society and the future.

The college’s speaker series, launched in 2025, highlights human-centered research and scholarship to address complex societal challenges. The theme, “Food and the Future,” began in August with an evening featuring culinary icon Alton Brown, included several ancillary events throughout the year and concluded with “Bite-Sized Lectures,” bringing big ideas back to campus in an accessible, conversation-driven format.

The mini lectures covered topics such as gardening, food recovery and hiking, as well as food traditions and food heritage storytelling. They showcased the human element central to the college’s scholarship and highlighted the real-world impact of the humanities and social sciences.

Each lecture was five minutes long, followed by a five-minute audience Q&A, and continued to explore the human side of food. The Feb. 18 event, held in Caldwell Hall Lounge, drew students, faculty and community members for an evening of presentations that sparked laughter, curiosity and thoughtful questions. 

“ ‘Bite-Sized Lectures’ is a fitting way to close the first year of our Human Factor Speaker Series,” said CHASS Dean Deanna Dannels, who welcomed the speakers and audience members. “It shows how our college brings research into conversations with the public in ways that are both accessible and thought-provoking, and how pairing knowledge with empathy and ingenuity helps solve some of today’s complex societal challenges. This is the expertise we bring to the table.”

For communication major and student co-presenter Vincent Anderson, the event showcased how traditions like Swedish Fika are essential human experiences that build connection through shared food moments.

“I hope people will remember that Fika is much deeper than a simple coffee break. It allows friends and coworkers to take time out of their day and spend it with other people,” said Anderson. “Fika is Swedish, but the core principle of taking a pause and appreciating the people around you is important for everyone.”

“The Human Factor Speaker Series is next-level CHASS, one way the college is making a real difference.”

“Bite-sized Lectures” was one of four events that continued the discussion of the human side of food from last fall’s premier speaker event with Brown. After his sold-out show, other events included Service Week, where 120 CHASS volunteers packaged more than 10,000 meals and interacted with five local food nonprofits. 

In December, communication professor Cindy Rosenfeld and her Environmental Communication class held an event about food as communication. A webinar discussing their class project was held later that month. An alumni panel featuring accomplished chefs and entrepreneurs took place during the spring semester.

Collectively, these events showcased how the Human Factor Speaker Series used food and everyday experiences to nurture connection and community.

Building on that momentum, Dean Dannels said the speaker series will continue exploring timely, engaging themes. The college’s theme for next year’s installment of the series, for instance, is preserving human stories in today’s technological age. Watch for details in the coming months.

In exploring such themes, Dean Dannels said the college will offer more opportunities for the campus and community to connect with research that matters and to extend conversations beyond the lecture hall. 

“The Human Factor Speaker Series is next-level CHASS, one way the college is making a real difference,” she added.