University of Oregon Scholars on Human Rights and the Israel-Hamas War

Thursday, February 8, 2024

11:00 a.m.–Noon

A panel of University of Oregon scholars and experts address the complexities of the Israel-Hamas war. The panelists will engage in a compassionate conversation about human rights as they inform an understanding of the war with the goal of inspiring empathy and informed action.

Panelists:
Diane Baxter, CRES Pro Tem Instructor
Diane Baxter is a Cultural Anthropologist whose work focuses on Palestinian culture and society and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. She has taught a diversity of courses in the Conflict Resolution Program, including one on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which is now in its 15th year. She was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology and has also taught courses in Judaic Studies and Women and Gender Studies. She has published articles and book chapters focusing on Palestinian refugees and gender in Palestinian society. She has lived and worked in both Israel and Palestine. Since October, 2023, she has participated with a small group of faculty to consider how to address the events of Oct. 7, the Israeli response to it in Gaza, and the continuation of hostilities.

David A. Frank, Professor Emeritus of Rhetoric
David A. Frank is a professor emeritus of rhetoric and political communication in the Robert D. Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon. With six books and 50 scholarly journal articles to his name, Professor Frank specializes in the study of rhetoric and argumentative reason in value conflicts. His expertise encompasses rhetorical history and theory, civil rights rhetoric, the Israeli-Palestinian relationship, and the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities. Recognized with numerous research awards, including those from the Mellon Foundation, Stanley Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Science Foundation, and the Korea Research Foundation, Professor Frank has made significant contributions to the field. His accolades include the Kohrs-Campbell Prize in Rhetorical Criticism for the book "Shared Land / Conflicting Identity," co-authored with Robert Rowland, and the "article of the year" award by the Communication and Religion Association. Additionally, he served a five-year term as the academic dean of the Clark Honors College and has received six teaching awards during his career.

Ibrahim Hamide, Business owner and peace advocate
Ibrahim Hamide, the owner of Cafe Soriah in Eugene, Oregon, stands out in the local community as a passionate advocate for human rights and peace. Originally from Bethlehem, he arrived in Eugene for his studies at the University of Oregon. Choosing to make Eugene his home after the Israeli occupation of his hometown, Mr. Hamide has become an integral part of the community. As the proprietor of Cafe Soriah, he introduces his signature hospitality and ingredient-driven Mediterranean cuisine, establishing a culinary institution in the area. Beyond his culinary contributions, Mr. Hamide has co-founded three organizations dedicated to addressing the conflict in the Middle East: the Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East, the Willamette World Affairs Council, and the Eugene Middle East Peace Group. His multifaceted involvement reflects his unwavering commitment to promoting human rights and fostering peace in the community.

Cheyney Ryan, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Law
Cheyney Ryan is a senior research fellow at Oxford University's Institute for Ethics, Law, and Armed Conflict, where he focuses his research on nonviolence, pacifism, and the critique of just war theory. He is a founder and co-chair of the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights and conducts human rights workshops globally. An emeritus professor at the University of Oregon, Professor Ryan co-founded the Peace Studies Program and the Masters Program in Conflict Resolution. He has been recognized by the Washington Post as a leading scholar in peace and conflict studies and has received the Joseph J. Blau Prize for significant contributions to the history of American philosophy. With a background in political activism, Professor Ryan's diverse experiences, from the civil rights movement to anti-Vietnam War activities, deeply inform his academic work. His extensive involvement in human rights activities has earned him awards, including "Humanitarian of the Year" from the Oregon Jewish Federation and the "Grassroots Award" from the National Funding Exchange. In addition to his political work, Ryan has contributed to the arts through playwriting, with notable productions such as "Appalachian Ebeneezer" and "Holy Dirt."

Paul Slovic, Professor of Psychology
Paul Slovic is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon and President of Decision Research. He studies human judgment, decision making, and the psychology of risk. With colleagues worldwide, he has developed methods to describe risk perceptions and measure their impacts on individuals and society. Dr. Slovic has received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Contribution Award from the Society for Risk Analysis and the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the American Psychological Association. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2016, and he continues his work to explore “psychic numbing” and the failure to respond to mass tragedies. 

Registration

Registration is no longer availble for this event. 

This event is part of the UOAA's effort to fulfill its value of creating a space for courageous, civil conversations on challenging topics. The roundtable discussion will adhere to the Shared Principles for Organizing Educational Events on Current Crisis in the Middle East, developed by the UO Division of Global Engagement.

Questions?

Email Shannon Rose-Peterson.