ORONO — The Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine will host a talk on how experts can effectively share their knowledge with rural communities at 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29.
In “Whose Knowledge Counts? Trust, Expertise, and the Politics of Sustainability in Rural America” Nicholas F. Jacobs will explore the apprehension certain communities have toward technical expertise, the obstacles they face and how experts can better connect their knowledge with people’s lived experience.
Jacobs is the Goldfarb Family Distinguished Chair in American Government at Colby College and the founding director of the Colby Public Policy Lab. His research focuses on rural politics, federalism, and public trust in government, with a particular interest in how people interpret policy through place-based narratives and lived experience. He is co-author of “The Rural Voter” and has advised policymakers at the local and national level.
The Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine aspires to be a leader and valued partner in understanding and solving problems related to the growing challenge of improving human well-being while protecting the environment. They collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and bring together faculty and students from many different fields. By connecting knowledge with action, the Mitchell Center seeks to create a brighter environmental, social and economic future in and beyond Maine.
All talks in the Mitchell Center’s Sustainability Talk series are free and are offered both remotely via Zoom, and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall on the UMaine campus in Orono.
Registration is required for virtual attendance; to register and receive connection information, see the event webpage.
To request accommodation, contact: Ruth Hallsworth at 207-581-3196 or hallsworth@maine.edu.