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Against the Grain is all about individuals who have defied expectations and contradicted the standard narrative; how people have charted their own path and innovated in unprecedented ways. Explore how progress occurs when we contradict the norm and how going against the grain can spark creativity and change.
SESSION 1
SESSION 2
KRISTIAN HAMMOND
A NEW PHILOSOPHY ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Kristian is a professor of computer science and journalism at Northwestern University. Previously, Kris founded the University of Chicago’s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. His research has been primarily focused on artificial intelligence, machine-generated content, and context-driven information systems.
KATHRYN BERNELL
AN OBSESSION WITH PERFECTION IS DOOMING US ALL
Kathryn is a second-year student in the MMM program, a dual MBA and MS degree focused on exploring the intersection of business, technology, and design innovation at the Kellogg School of Management. She is passionate about putting an end to the dangerous cycle of food waste and is the founder of reBLEND, a food startup that provides frozen smoothie cubes crafted with cosmetically “imperfect” fruits and vegetables.
RAJ SACHDEV
VALUE CREATING OUR WAY TO THE SMART HOME OF 2050
Raj Sachdev is a former instructor at Stanford, a guest speaker at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and a value-based marketing research specialist. He challenges not only the public perception but those of the inventors working on smart home products today. He is passionate about making smart home technologies more cost-effective, technically feasible, and inspiring.
ANGELA WALKER
WOMEN IN GLOBAL JUSTICE RISING: ENDING AN ERA OF IMPUNITY FOR SYSTEMATIC VIOLENCE
Angela Walker is an international attorney, organizer, and writer whose mission is to address the rise of sexual violence in armed conflict by inspiring more women and girls to become leaders in global justice. Throughout her career, she has facilitated conflict resolution workshops in the aftermath of the genocide in Cambodia, clerked at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and represented survivors of sexual violence in the context of armed conflict. Her book chapter, 21st Century Paradigms on Military Force for Humane Purposes, with co-author Ambassador David Scheffer, will be published this year.
ZACHARY DAMATO
WORKING UPSTREAM: MAKING A LEGACY PROJECT
Zachary Damato is one of the founding members of Urban Rivers, a Chicago-based nonprofit working to bring back native wildlife to urban communities by installing floating gardens and implementing environmental innovation and experimental ecological design. He and his team have taken a 5 x 10 floating garden to a 1650 square foot install and are preparing to turn a stretch of the Chicago River into a mile-long river park. His research has been primarily focused on artificial intelligence, machine-generated content, and context-driven information systems.
RAHEL MWITULA WILLIAMS
REDEFINING PHILANTHROPY: FACES OF CHANGE MAKERS
Rahel Williams is the founder of ILAVA, a socially responsible lifestyle brand that uses fashion to empower African women. Her goal is to make Africa a manufacturing hub, promote corporate social responsibility during the growing stages of the business, and to prove that African women can be philanthropists.
MICHAEL KENNEDY
RELATIONSHIPS AND BELONGING IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
Michael is a Professor of Neurobiology and the founding Director of Science in Society, Northwestern’s research center dedicated to science education and public engagement. His research-based community programs like the award-winning Science Club are powerful learning opportunities that provide an increased and robust STEM pipeline for Chicago’s traditionally underserved neighborhoods.
HERMILO HINOJOSA
RELATIONSHIPS AND BELONGING IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
Hermilo Hinojosa is the Vice President of Youth Development at Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, a network of 23 clubs serving 18,000 youths each year. For over a century, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago had had one mission: to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential. Prior to joining the city-wide club support team, Milo was Club Director of the TrueValue Boys & Girls Club in Little Village, one of the BGCC sites which hosts Science Club.
JONATHAN HOLLOWAY
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS ON THE COLLEGE CAMPUS
Jonathan Holloway is the new Provost of Northwestern University. Before moving to Northwestern, he was the first African-American Dean of Yale College as well as a Professor of African American Studies, History, and American Studies at Yale University. With a specialization in post-emancipation United States History with a focus on social and intellectual history, he has done extensive research regarding the educational experience of students of color.
THE TEAM
