Faculty Talks: Sparking Curiosity, Expanding Horizons

The DePaul College of Communication “Faculty Talks” series invites students to dive into a mix of exciting, cross-disciplinary topics led by passionate professors. Each lecture is a fresh take on something fascinating—from personal growth to pop culture to mastering communication—giving you insights that go well beyond the classroom!

Explore Upcoming Faculty Talks

The best part of our Faculty Talks series? The fantastic variety of topics that keep you curious and inspired! Explore the upcoming lectures below and check back regularly for new offerings.

Using Sports to Explain the World

Vincent Peña, Assistant Professor, Journalism

<div class="ck-content"><p>The prominence of sports in American society (and globally) cannot be overstated. We understand and make sense of many spheres of public and civic life through the lens of sports, particularly through sports metaphors. Beyond sports’ significance in society, the language of sports shapes discourse about politics, business, war, and much more. Politicians use sports to court voters; journalists write about war as if it were a game; and people liken their intimate relationships to playing baseball. In this talk, Dr. Vincent Peña discusses the way that sports influence our language and shape our social, cultural, and political realities. This talk will cover all the bases — sports metaphor! — of how the language of sports defines our world, including implications for journalists, fans, and regular citizens, whose language is shaped by sports in ways they might not be aware of.</p><h3>Thursday, January 28th, 2027  5:30 p.m – 6:30 p.m. CT</h3></div>

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Writing and Thinking in the Age of AI

Amy Merrick, Professional Lecturer, Journalism

<div class="ck-content"><p>Generative AI can make communication more efficient, but sometimes at the cost of originality and human connection. The short-term and long-term effects of AI usage on writing and critical thinking can depend on your levels of skill and experience. We’ll talk about research on writing with AI and practical strategies to strengthen your work while preserving your autonomy.</p><h3>Monday, March 9th, 2027  5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. CT</h3></div>

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Previous Faculty Talks

Exploring Naruto Fandom

What Can Naruto Fandom Tell Us About Feminism?

<div class="ck-content"><h2><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-family:"Rethink Sans", sans-serif;font-size:24px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><strong>Sam Close, Associate Professor, Media and Popular Culture</strong></span></span></h2><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Times;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><em>Naruto</em> (2002-2017) is a blockbuster Japanese anime and manga franchise about a young boy who wants to become a ninja and lead his village. It’s not the most obvious place to find conversations about feminism—in fact, Sakura, the lead female character in the series is often openly mocked by fans and continues to rank high on lists of the “most hated” anime characters ever.</p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Times;font-size:medium;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">But this Sakura hate doesn’t sit right with all fans. Join Professor Sam Close for a talk that explores what happens when fans—mostly female fans—take Sakura seriously. Whether you’re a <i>Naruto</i> fan or not, join us to learn about the power fans have in re-interpreting the narratives of popular culture.</p><h3>Wednesday, October 28, 2026  5:30 p.m. CDT</h3></div>

Myths of AI Data Centers

A Global Perspective

<div class="ck-content"><p class="p1"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-family:"Rethink Sans", sans-serif;font-size:24px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><strong>Tony Deng, Associate Professor, Public Relations and Advertising</strong></span></span></p><p class="p1">AI data centers are rapidly expanding across the U.S. But what does this means for our communities, from water and energy use to jobs and sustainability? Join Associate Professor Tony Deng to explore the facts, myths, and global perspectives shaping the future of AI infrastructure.</p></div>

College of Communication Academic Programs

If you love exploring deep topics like the ones featured in our Faculty Talks, check out our College of Communication programs. Built for storytellers and bold thinkers, they can unlock new paths in your professional journey!

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