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Professors to Share Their Research Through Comics at Events

By Juan Flores, UC Merced
November 3, 2022

The Center for the Humanities is hosting in-person and virtual events to give some insight into how professors share their research through comics.

The center's Bobcat Comics series aims to showcase different types of research in an easy-to-understand format. Four new comics are being launched this week.

"Comics are an engaging way to explain research to everyday people and pique their interest," said Christina Lux, the center's managing director. "The collaborative process between a researcher and artist can also spark new insights and directions for future research, leading to discovery and innovation."

The center is teaming up with the Merced County Library for a local author fair on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the main branch located at 2100 O St. in downtown Merced. At the event, the print comics will be distributed for free, and people can interact with faculty as well as one of the comic artists. Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in various art activities related to the new comics at 1:30 p.m.

On Monday, Nov. 7, Chicanx studies and English Professor Felicia Lopez, philosophy and cognitive science Professor Carolyn Jennings, and artists Jordan Collver and Pino Cao will take part in a discussion about their comics via Zoom from 10 to 11 a.m. Anyone interested in joining the virtual event is asked to register online.

Later in the day, an in-person event will feature sociology Professor Whitney Pirtle and anthropology Professor Holley Moyes, along with artists Katharine Thompson and JoAnna Wendel. The presentation is scheduled from 3 to 4 p.m. in Classroom and Office Building 2, room 295.

All events are free and open to the public. Questions can be directed to humanities@ucmerced.edu.