Alfred Gourdji Distinguished Lectures Series   

This lecture will explore whether Western reactions to the Gaza and Ukraine conflicts, along with the rise of the so-called BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the UAE), signal a turning point in the preeminence of Western nations and the economic and political systems they have created and commandeered since World War II.

Saeed Khan is Associate Professor of Near East & Asian Studies and Global Studies at Wayne State University, where he is also Director of the Center for the Study of Citizenship. He is Co-founder and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding in Washington, DC. He specializes in Middle Eastern and Islamic history, politics and culture, and global issues. For several years, Prof. Khan and Howard Lupovitch, Professor of History at Wayne State, have collaborated on talks and media interviews about the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Prof. Kahn’s latest books include Global Studies: A Reader on Issues and Institutions and What’s Going On Here? US Experiences of Islamophobia Between Obama and Trump.

This talk—based on Prof. Kross’ recently published book—addresses the timeless question of how to manage our emotional lives. Whether it’s anxiety about going to the doctor, boiling rage when we’re stuck in traffic, or devastation after a painful break-up, we often face situations that send us emotionally spiraling. Are there ways to make our emotions work for us rather than against us? Based on recent research findings, this talk will dispel some common myths—e.g., that avoidance is always toxic or that we should always strive to live in the moment—and provide a framework and tools for shifting our emotions to help us be healthier and happier.

Ethan Kross, Ph.D., is a Professor in UM’s Psychology Department and Ross Business School. He is the director of the Emotion & Self-Control Lab. His research examines how people can control their thoughts, feelings and behaviors to improve their lives, focusing on adult, child and clinical populations. His approach draws on multiple disciplines within psychology including social, personality, clinical, developmental, and neuroscience. Prof. Kross has authored numerous books, book chapters, and articles. His research has been reported in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New Yorker, Forbes, Time, and The Atlantic.