Young Adult Literature Authors and Climate Justice: Discussion with Nnedi Okorafor

This program is the second in a two-part series of webinars, cosponsored by Harvard Radcliffe Institute and the Monroe C. Gutman Library at Harvard Graduate School of Education, focused on issues of climate change and climate justice as addressed through young adult (YA) literature.

In this series, Radcliffe is inviting leading thinkers, writers, and educators to participate in conversations about how authors and readers of YA literature engage with climate change, leveraging the power of storytelling as a way to learn about, cope with, and address this extraordinary challenge.

Literature can move people of all generations, including students and educators, as well as scientists, policy makers, journalists, and the public. In this program, award-winning author Nnedi Okorafor will converse with “Massachusetts Super Librarian” Liz Phipps-Soeiro on how writing, reading, and teaching books and comics with themes of climate change and climate justice can encourage young people to learn and think about these issues, while demonstrating the powerful impact of the arts and literature in our communities.

The event will also include audience Q and A.

Harvard Radcliffe Institute gratefully acknowledges the Ethel and David Jackson Fund for the Future Climate, which is supporting this event.

Speakers

Nnedi Okorafor, author of science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism books and comics for children and adults

Liz Phipps-Soeiro, director of library services, Boston Public Schools

Discussant

Stephanie LeMenager RI ’17, Barbara and Carlisle Moore Distinguished Professor in English and American Literature and professor of environmental studies, University of Oregon

Program introduction by MG Prezioso, doctoral student, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Event Video