2018 Speakers

Nancy Flowers, a writer and consultant for human rights education, began her career as a high school English teacher. She has worked to develop Amnesty International’s education program and is a co-founder of Human Rights Educators USA, a national human rights education network. As a consultant to governments, nongovernmental organizations, and UN agencies, she has helped establish national and international networks of educators, develop materials, and train activists and professionals in many countries. She is the author and editor of articles and books on human rights education, most recently Towards a Just Society: The Personal Journeys of Human Rights Educators (Minnesota, 2016); Human Rights. YES! Action and Advocacy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2nd Edition, Minnesota, 2013), Acting for Indigenous Rights: Theatre to Change the World (Minnesota, 2013); and Local Action/ Global Change: A Handbook on Women’s Human Rights (2nd edition, Paradigm Press, 2008). She lives in Palo Alto, California.

• Economic Topic (regulation of consumer data) - Dr. Alanah Mitchell is an Associate Professor of Information Systems in the Department of Information Management and Business Analytics in the College of Business and Public Administration at Drake University. Professor Mitchell’s research focuses on the design, implementation, and use of information and communication technologies for collaboration, specifically in global virtual teams. More information can be found on her website: https://www.alanahmitchell.com/

• Science Topic (plastic waste) - Jennifer Wright leads the Financial and Business Assistance team at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which works to help Iowa's environmental future in ways that positively impact our economy and society. The team is equipped to work with Iowa citizens, businesses and communities to provide financial and technical assistance resulting in cost-effective improvements, opportunities for increased productivity and positive environmental impacts.

• Political Topic (crisis in Yemen) - Dr. Eduardo Magalhaes III is the Department Chair of Political Science at Simpson College. He teaches courses on comparative politics, minority politics, and international relations.

• Social Topic (longevity crisis) - Liesl Eathington is an assistant scientist in the Department of Economics at Iowa State University with expertise in economic geography and economic sociology. She also serves as the coordinator for the Iowa Community Indicators Program.