In a world full of noise, we often try to listen—to conversations with colleagues and family, to music in our headphones, to videos blasting from our smartphones. We hear all these things daily, but what does it mean to truly listen? In what sense do our devices also listen to us? What is the role of silence in listening? How has listening changed over time? Can political tensions be eased through listening? How is listening both an art and a science? 

This year’s Wide Lens event, Obermann’s annual celebration of research on campus, will center the theme of listening. The May 8 event at the Voxman Music Building will bring together researchers from science, social sciences, the humanities, and the arts to investigate what it means to listen deeply and thoughtfully. 

“Listening attentively is crucial to much of what we do as scholars, researchers, and practitioners,” says Luis Martin-Estudillo, Director of the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies. “It requires will and skill, and the six colleagues presenting on their work are fantastic at both, each one from a very different disciplinary platform.”

The following UI researchers will present their research in the fast-paced PechaKucha style, a unique presentation format in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each, emphasizing visual, concise, and dynamic storytelling. 

Audience members can look forward to research presentations from 

• Gerta Bardhoshi, Counseling (College of Education), on equipping educators to address student mental health issues;
• Brittany Bettendorf, Rheumatology (Carver College of Medicine), on how doctors can better listen and respond to patient needs;
• Eric Hunter, Communication Sciences and Disorders (CLAS), on how researchers study and understand the human voice;
• Juliana Pacheco, Political Science (CLAS), on an oral history project that centers voices from the Latinx community in Iowa;
• Damani Phillips, Jazz Studies, School of Music (CLAS), on an innovative new type of publication called a “listening book”; and
• Morten Schlütter, Religious Studies (CLAS), on the importance of listening with empathy when it comes to understanding difference.

Wide Lens: LISTENING will take place Thursday, May 8 at 5:30pm in the Harold Stark Opera Studio at the Voxman Music Building. The event is free and open to all. Audience members can expect to make surprising connections across the disciplines and celebrate research from every corner of campus. 

We invite you to come support your colleagues, socialize, and learn something unexpected! Food and drink will be provided.