Nov. 21, 2023

Catch the most talked-about UCalgary science story of 2023 at EARTHx

Lecture series lineup kicks off Nov. 23 with a talk about the remarkable discovery of an octopus nursery off the coast of Costa Rica

Rachel Lauer marvels at the discoveries relayed on-screen from a deep-sea submersible. Alex Ingle, Schmidt Ocean Institute

Since 2015, the Gallagher Colloquia have brought top speakers to UCalgary to provide engaging, accessible lectures on geoscience topics. In 2023, the Department of Geoscience expanded to become the Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment — and the Gallagher Colloquia are expanding, too.

This year, the series will become EARTHx, a set of lectures covering exciting topics in the Earth, energy, and environment space. The generous support of the Gallagher family continues to drive EARTHx, making leading speakers available in person at UCalgary as well as online for remote viewers.

The 2023-24 EARTHx lineup kicks off Thursday, Nov. 23 with a lecture by UCalgary’s own Dr. Rachel Lauer, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Earth, Energy, and Environment. At this session, which runs from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m., Lauer will share the story of the Octopus Odyssey, the most talked-about UCalgary Science story of the year.

This remarkable discovery of an octopus nursery off the coast of Costa Rica upended what scientists thought they knew about the octopus lifecycle and was featured on BBC, CNN, National Geographic, USA Today, NPR and more. Lauer also shared her story on CBC’s Quirks & Quarks.

At EARTHx on Nov. 24, the full-length lecture format will give listeners the opportunity to learn about the Octopus Odyssey in more depth than any of the media coverage so far. Lauer will share an experience of transdisciplinary collaboration, finding the unexpected, going where your passions take you, and protecting the hidden wonders of our world.

Join the event in person at MacEwan Hall Ballroom or the online livestream to connect with the EARTHx community, ask questions, and learn how sometimes the most exciting Earth science happens far from dry land.

Date: Thursday, Nov. 23
In-person schedule: Networking reception (6:15 p.m. MT), EARTHx presentation (7 - 8:15 p.m. MT)
Online schedule: EARTHx presentation livestream (7 - 8:15 p.m. MT)
Location: MacEwan Hall Ballroom
Note: Refreshments and appetizers provided for in-person attendees

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