Urban Sustainability to be highlighted during SAAP conference

Urban sustainability will be one of the primary focuses of the 2015 Advancement of American Philosophy Annual Meeting hosted by Grand Valley’s philosophy department March 5-7 at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids.

“The SAAP Annual Meeting provides a chance for scholars who work in the American philosophical tradition an opportunity to meet every year, share their research and bring their work to an interdisciplinary and non-academic audience,” said Kelly Parker, professor of philosophy at Grand Valley.

The urban sustainability panel will feature Haris Alibasic, director of the office of energy and sustainability for the city of Grand Rapids; Gayle Debruyn, chief sustainability officer and chair of the collaborative design and furniture/design studies programs at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University; and Bill Lawson, professor of philosophy at University of Memphis.

“The panelists each bring a distinctive perspective to understanding what we mean when we say we are working toward urban sustainability,” Parker said. “I expect that the audience’s questions will allow our panelists to engage current ideas and concerns in a very fruitful way.”

The urban sustainability panel, which will take place Thursday, March 5, from 5:30-7 p.m. in Loosemoore Auditorium located in the Devos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus, is just one of many panels, workshops and lectures taking place during the annual meeting.

For more information about the SAAP Annual Meeting and to register, visit http://american-philosophy.org.