The Humanities+ Series is set to open its second semester with a presentation on disaster preparedness.

Humanities+ began last semester by the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. According to the program’s purpose statement, the series “fosters creative, intellectual, and educational opportunities” through events and community engagement. It spotlights the work and achievements of Murray State faculty, students and alumni, as well as professionals in the arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences. Events range from lectures and presentations to teaching workshops, called “Skill Shares,” to cultural events working to foster essential skills in the community. 

The spring 2026 event lineup begins with an environmental science presentation from Murray State professors Ayorinde Ogunyiola and Oluwabunmi Dada, “Strengthening Disaster Preparedness: Assessing Risk Perception and Early Warning for Flash Flooding.” 

Dada, a professor of occupational safety and health, said their research was included in the series due to its interdisciplinary nature. She said it bridges the areas of public health, environmental science, data analytics and community engagement.

“The Humanities+ Series emphasizes scholarship that connects scientific inquiry with human experiences and societal impact,” she said, “and our work on disaster preparedness, particularly how people perceive risk and respond to early warning systems, aligns well with that mission.”

Dada said the goal of their presentation is to spread an understanding that disaster preparedness is not only a technical or infrastructural issue, rather it’s “deeply human.”

“We hope attendees leave with an appreciation for how perception, trust, communication and social context influence whether early warning systems actually save lives,” she said. “By highlighting the voices and experiences of affected individuals, we aim to show why inclusive, people-centered approaches are essential for strengthening resilience in the face of increasing climate-related hazards.”

Josh Adair, a professor of English and Humanities+ coordinator, said planning the program schedule is a very collaborative experience. He works closely with co-coordinator Carrie Jerrell and the Humanities+ committee to build the event series.

“(The planning) process begins with a call for faculty to submit proposals for presentations,” he said, “and then we select dynamic, engaging presentations that will attract students from across the University. … The entire process is very collaborative and requires many hands to achieve our goals.”

Entering its second semester of programming, Adair said the series was successful in the fall, reaching “hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members.”

“It provided excellent opportunities for students especially because they got to encounter new ideas and meet faculty outside their majors (and) minors,” Adair said. “The upcoming semester builds on that momentum by offering more faculty talks, documentary screenings, as well as some (Skill Shares) targeted to faculty and staff.”

Humanities+ will continue throughout the semester with upcoming events such as a bookbinding Skill Share with professors Nicole Hand and Lu Colby on Jan. 30 and a screening of the documentary “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin” on Feb. 3.

Ogunyiola and Dada’s presentation has been rescheduled due to campus closure with date and time to be determined. For more information on the event and the Humanities+ Series, visit the Humanities+ Series webpage.