Ecojustice speaker to kickoff Contemporary Issues Lecture Series

October 23, 2015

An internationally recognized expert on the green economy, sustainable development and educational equity will be the first speaker of UW-Whitewater's 2015-16 Contemporary Issues Lecture Series.  Antwi Akom, co-founder of I-SEEED (Institute for Sustainable Economic, Educational and Environmental Design), will bring his presentation "From Urgency to Action: Ecojustice, Tech Innovation and Community Revitalization" to UW-Whitewater's Young Auditorium on Monday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m.

"We are very excited that Dr. Akom's lecture will serve as the kick-off event for the Campus Diversity Forum," said Susan Johnson, assistant dean of the College of Letters and Sciences and coordinator of the series. "His lecture fits the forum's theme, Diversity Justice and the Environment, very well. He is also an international authority on promoting sustainable cities and schools."

Akom, an associate professor of environmental sociology, public health and STEM education at San Francisco State University, was recognized in 2014 by the Partnership for Democracy and Education as one of twenty-one 21st century eco-visionaries.  His work includes developing tools and models that empower communities through community-driven technologies to improve planning and design processes and the way social services are delivered to low-income people of color. His published research ranges from green urban and rural issues to race, poverty and community organizing.   

Akom has held research and academic appointments at University of California, Berkeley; the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; University of California, San Francisco; the Health Policy Institute and currently San Francisco State University.   The Contemporary Issues Lecture Series is sponsored by UW-Whitewater's College of Letters and Sciences and co-sponsored by Continuing Education Services.