Trent Talks: High School Edition 2024
Would you like your students to hear from world class professors from the comfort of their classroom? Trent Talks is a series of short lectures prepared by Trent faculty for secondary school classes. These talks are a way for Trent University to give back to our community by sharing our passion for research, teaching, and learning.
Trent faculty are excited to partner with your classroom to engage students in conversation about their research in a variety of disciplines. Each talk is roughly 45-60 minutes in length, delivered virtually or in-person, and geared for high school aged students.
Professors are available to lecture on the following disciplines:
- Biology
- English
- Environmental Sciences and Studies
- Forensic Science
- History
- Indigenous Studies
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Psychology
To request a Talk, please email discovertrent@trentu.ca.
Looking for a Talk in another discipline? Browse our pre-recorded Trent Talks below.
Trent Talks Live & On Demand
Dr. Helen Haines
Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology
Indiana Jones and.... the School of Anthropology?
This talk contrasts the popular image of archaeology as seen in movies with what it is really like to be an archaeologist. It will discuss what anthropology is all about, how archaeology fits into this larger discipline, and why anthropology and archaeology are important in understanding the modern world.
Dr. Andrew Loeb
Assistant Professor (LTA), Department of English
The Purpose of Playing in Shakespeare's England
Description: This talk explores what it was like to go to a play in London around the turn of the 17th century, what sorts of exciting and unusual stories audiences saw brought to life on the stage by Shakespeare and some of his contemporaries, and how those audiences became active participants in the making of dramatic meaning.
Dr. Brenda Smith- Chant
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
Procrastination as a tool for success: How does that work?
My focus is on the psychology of learning and how educational programs and policies impact the learning environment. As an introductory university professor, I have had the opportunity to observe students transitioning into university and what creates success. I look for ways to support students to meet their goals and succeed in a competitive university environment.
Dr. Mara Heiber
Assistant Professor, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies
Truth and Reconciliation in Canada
Dr. Michael Hickson
Associate Professor, Philosophy
What is the meaning of Life?
Dr. Hickson gives a talk on arguably one if the toughest questions to answer, "What Is The Meaning Of Life." Explore different possibilities through the eyes of many philosophies as a resource to help you discover the answer to the question.
Dr. Maher Ghalayini
Assistant Professor, School of Business
What distinguishes You from a Robot?
Dr Ghalayini looks throughout history to understand the evolution of industrialization and how it relates to a business sense. Learn a wide range of business topics and explore what is to come for workers and big businesses in the future.
Dr. David Beresford
Assistant Professor, Biology, School of the Environment
Insect Biodiversity in Ontario, North and South - What Lives Here?
Dr. Beresford shares his research on insect diversity in northern Ontario, the Hudson and James Bay region, as well as some new range records in the Peterborough area that were not expected.
Dr. Ian Brown
Adjunct Professor, Psychology, Clinical Psychologist
Careers in Psychology: So, You Want to be a Psychologist?
Adolescent Mental Health and Well-Being: Check Up from the Neck Up
Talks can include specific topics within clinical psychology: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, non-suicidal self-injury.
Dr. Melanie Buddle
Principal, Gzowski College, Part-Time Faculty, History, Canadian Studies
Capitalism: Will More Money Make you Happier?
How to Prepare for First-Year University: You Can do This!
Dr. Buddle explores questions about how to prepare for university; what it will be like, what resources exist to support students, and top tips for success.
Dr. Michael Eamon
Principal, Catharine Parr Traill College, Adjunct Graduate Professor, English Literature, History, Cultural Studies
Beyond Teaching: Meaningful Careers in History from Museums to Videogame Creation
10 Days that Shook the World
Using the failed American invasion of Quebec City on 31 December 1775 as an entry, Professor Eamon explores the American Revolution and how it transformed Canada and the United States. This talk examines issues such as being a British subject verses being an American citizen, the terrors of civil war and forced relocation, as well as the origins of Canadian and American culture and politics.
Dr. Michael Fox
Professor Emeritus, Part-Time Faculty, School of the Environment, Biology
Fish and Fish Ecology: Aquatic Invasive Species
What makes a species invasive in an aquatic environment? Why should we be concerned about them? What are some of the main species of concern in central Canada? What can be done about them?
Fish and Fish Ecology: Freshwater Fishes and Their Adaptations
What are some of the dominant fish species in our area? How do they differ in body type? What do they eat and how are they adapted to catch their prey? How are fishes different from warm-blooded animals like birds and mammals? How can we sample them?
Dr. Christine Freeman-Roth
Principal, Lady Eaton College, Part-Time Faculty, Philosophy
Food and the Good Life
Grab a seat at the virtual table to consider the seemingly straightforward question, “What’s for dinner?” and explore the connections between food, our values and goals, and the good life.
Dr. Daniel Harris
Assistant Professor, Philosophy
Are Robots People?
Advances in robotics and artificial intelligence are encouraging philosophers to think about whether robots will ever be people. Of course, robots won’t be human beings, but there are lots of things that aren’t human but that are still treated as legal persons in some contexts, such as corporations and non-human animals. Let’s explore what makes a thing a person, and what gives a thing legal rights.
Dr. Stephen Hill
Associate Professor, Associate Director, School of the Environment
Climate & Energy Policy in Canada
This talk asks why actions to address climate change have been so slow, and suggests ideas for accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future.
Dr. Sanela Martic
Assistant Professor, Forensic Science
I am a Chemist, How Can I Help? Diverse Fields of Chemistry for All Aspects of Our Daily Lives
Dr. Dennis Murray
Professor, Biology, Canada Research Chair in Terrestrial Ecology
Canada's Boreal Forest in the Age of Climate Change
Conservation of Wolves in Canada and Beyond
Population Cycles and Interactions Between Canada Lynx and Snowshoe Hares
How and why I Chose a Career in Ecology, and Some General Lessons on Career Paths
Dr. Anne Pasek
Assistant Professor, Cultural Studies, School of the Environment,
Canada Research Chair in Media, Culture and the Environment
Climate Change Communications: How to Talk with People About Climate Change
Climate change is an urgent social problem, but one that arguably isn't getting enough attention. Combining insights from psychology, politics, cultural studies, and social movements, Dr. Pasek outlines current barriers to climate action in Canada and several ways to move the conversation forward.
Dr. David Patton
Professor, Physics & Astronomy
Exoplanets
In recent years, astronomers have discovered thousands of planets in orbit around other stars, including some which are similar in size to the Earth. Dr. Patton will review some of these exoplanet discoveries, with a focus on planets which may be suitable for life.
Dr. Barry Saville
Associate Professor, Forensic Science, Director Graduate Studies
Drugs and Forensics
Drugs and forensics is a talk that begins with a question and answers about the plant origins of drugs. It then presents a definition of a drug in reference to narcotics followed by facts on the impact of drugs on society and a more in-depth discussion of opiates and THC. These topics touch on the drug's impact on society, the forms of the drugs, how they affect people, and how we detect and identify them for legal purposes.
Biocrime and Bioterrorism
Biocrime and Bioterrorism is a presentation that first provides an overview of pandemics and then brings up the concept of terrorism using the 9/11 world trade center attack as an example, mentions that Canada has also faced terrorist attacks and then poses the questions why someone would use biological agents, discusses some potential biological agents, then outlines how we would discover what agents were used and how to link them to the perpetrator.
Dr. Amy Spendik
Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator, Policing and Community Well-Being
The Police are Watching and Being Watched -- Technology and Social Media in 21st Century Policing
This talk explores the roles of technology in policing, social media and police investigations, and social media and police accountability.
"As Coordinator of our International Baccalaureate Programme, I have a keen interest in this initiative, as I am always on the lookout to connect with the post-secondary academic world in meaningful ways.”
Peter Mullins, High School Teacher (Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute) and Trent Alumnus (IDS ’92)