Heart and Mind in Balance with Meredith James (Hybrid)

With all of the speculation surrounding AI, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that people have navigated similar technological transformations throughout recorded history. Our era is no different, and the questions we face are the same questions that every generation has faced—how best to live in the world, reduce human suffering, and ground our activities in enduring human values.
Yet, these questions are only rightfully answered when our hearts and minds are in balance, and there is one societal domain in particular that underscores this balance: Spirituality. Within long-standing, authentic spiritual traditions, we find guiding principles that are perennially relevant and offer constancy as a counterpoint to the uncertainty of the future.

Through a Theravāda Buddhist lens, Meredith will present how spiritual wisdom can help us chart our way forward, both as designers and as citizens.

Bio
Meredith James serves as an Associate Professor in the Jordan Schnitzer School of Art, Art History and Design at Portland State University. Her scholarly research is focused on design theory, and how to develop a culture of design that is more reflective, equitable, humanist, and self-aware. James has presented her work across the US and Europe, speaking in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Brighton, and Paris. Her writing can be found in Ethics in Design and Communication: Critical Perspectives, and Baseline Shift: Untold Stories of Women in Graphic Design History. Meredith received her MFA from the Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Event is in person and online
We are in person at the Jordan Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design

5:00 - Doors open to tour the new art school building
6:00 - intros and event

Zoom link to be posted several days prior to event.

In collaboration with PDX Design thinkers

Accommodation requests
If you have any accommodation requests, please contact us.