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Nationally known conservationist to speak on literacy at NGCSU
1021SPEAKER KirshenbaumSheril
Sheril Kirshenbaum, a popular science expert and conservationist, is coming to North Georgia College & State University today.

Sheril Kirshenbaum
When:
7:30 tonight
Where:
North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega
Cost: Free

Sheril Kirshenbaum, a popular science expert and conservationist, is coming to North Georgia College & State University today for two presentations on information literacy.

Kirshenbaum will speak to a group of selected students in the afternoon and at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Health & Natural Sciences Building. The evening presentation is free and open to the public.

Her book, "Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future," will be on sale outside the auditorium and Kirshenbaum will be signing copies following the evening presentation.

Information literacy is a major initiative at North Georgia and involves the ability to distinguish quality information from poor information and how to effectively use that information in academic and professional settings.

Inviting a guest speaker each year is a key component of the initiative, Ross Alexander, who serves as co-director of QEP along with Chuck Robertson, said.

"We choose speakers who can address information literacy in some sort of engaging and innovative manner. This year, we are featuring Sheril Kirshenbaum, who is an expert on the negative effect that scientific illiteracy is having upon society," Alexander said. "Our events have been very, very successful and often draw more than 300 people."

Kirshenbaum is a graduate of Tufts University and holds master's degrees in marine biology and marine policy from the University of Maine. She is a research scientist with the Webber Energy Group at the University of Texas at Austin's Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy, where she works on projects to enhance public understanding of energy issues as they relate to food, oceans and culture.

She is involved in conservation initiatives across levels of government, working to improve communication between scientists, policymakers and the public.

In addition to "Unscientific America," she also wrote "The Science of Kissing: What Our Lips Are Telling Us."