Provost Lecture Series

Lecture series

Est. Time Per Lecture: 1 hour

Overview

Talks offered as part of this series are cross-disciplinary presentations intended to be accessible to broad audiences. One of the unique features of the Provost Lecture Series is its interdisciplinary approach, as the presentations transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, making them accessible and engaging to a broad general audience. Attendees can expect to be enlightened and inspired as they listen to a world-class expert and thought-provoking discussions that will provide a deeper understanding of current, critical topics, ranging across science, technology, and social sciences.

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Application Deadlines

  •  08 Jul 2024

    Fall Quarter applications due

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Academic Calendar

No upcoming events.

Video modules

Hypersonic

By: Dr. Garth Hobson

Why Faster Isn’t Just Faster, But a Game Changer. Dr. Garth Hobson presents why Hypersonic flight provides an unprecedented capability by simultaneously extending range and reducing transit time—enabling rapid reach and global targeting. High performance hypersonic offensive and defensive weapons require efficient aerodynamic designs with light-weight, durable control surfaces and leading edges capable of sustaining the extreme exposure temperatures (above metal melting) during flight.

The Quantum Promise

By: Dr. Frank A. Narducci

In celebration of the 2022 Nobel Prize for Physics—awarded jointly to Quantum physicists Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser and Anton Zeilinger for their experimentation with entangled photons, establishing the violation of Bell inequalities and pioneering quantum information science—NPS’ own Dr. Frank Narducci explains the science behind their discovery, unraveling the mysteries of “The Quantum Promise.”

What Will Keep the Lights On?

By: Dr. Giovanni Oriti

Blackouts remind us of our dependency on the electrical grid. The Department of Defense is investing millions of dollars in microgrids to increase energy security and reduce fossil fuel consumption, but microgrids are complex electronics-based power systems whose functionality is hard to understand. In this general-audience presentation. Dr. Giovanni Oriti, NPS Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will explain how microgrids work and their role in the energy transitions. Dr. Oriti will also examine the future of resilient microgrids, their applications in both Naval and general contexts, and how NPS is leading the way in microgrid innovation for the Navy and Marine Corps.

The Sun Never Sets on Crew Endurance Research

By: Dr. Nita Shattuck

“Sleep is for the weak!”  “Five and Dime watchbills” …These disturbing phrases were all too common across the Navy when the Submarine force operated on an 18-hour day while the Surface force operated primarily on a 15-hour day. Sleep was undervalued - and going without it was considered a badge of honor for many members of the military. This talk will describe the 20+ year journey by the NPS Crew Endurance Team. The team studied cadets at US military service academies, Army, Airforce, and Navy; Marines who guard embassies; Medevac aircrew in Alaska; F-22 pilots in Hawaii, and Coast Guard personnel on icebreakers in the Arctic Ocean – and even a study at the White House! Dr. Shattuck will describe her journey with her students and colleagues to revise policy and shift the culture around work and rest patterns in the Navy and beyond. And perhaps you can pick up some tips for your own sleep habits!