Laura C. Harris
Series

The Laura C. Harris Series enhances the education of young women as students and professionals, promoting career opportunities and carrying on the pioneering spirit of women at Denison.

Here are just a few notable speakers from past years:

  • Alia Malek — Author, civil rights attorney
  • Seyla Benhabib — Political philosopher, professor
  • Joan Roughgarden — Biologist, professor
  • Angela Davis — Activist, feminist studies professor

About the Laura C. Harris Series

The Laura C. Harris Series annually invites a roster of thought leaders from diverse fields and perspectives to share their expertise with Denison students. Each year, the Harris Series establishes a theme to guide the selection of guest speakers. Additionally, the Harris Series offers co-sponsorships for various interdisciplinary academic events.

Dr. Laura C. Harris was a pioneer in the medical profession and embodied the Denison ideal of the value of a liberal arts and sciences education. A member of the Class of 1916 (earning the Ph.B., or Bachelor of Philosophy), Harris was the first woman to receive a medical degree from Syracuse University. She pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania before establishing her medical practice in New York in the 1920s.

Harris Series Coordinator:
Zarrina Juraqulova

Harris Series Assistant:
Bevin McGuire Peppard

Laura C. Harris Series
Archives

2025 - 2026

Denison University’s Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Alondra Nelson.

Denison's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Dr. Hadeel Assali Feb. 19, 2026.

Denison's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes coauthors Dr. Emily M. Bender and Dr. Alex Hanna

Denison's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes filmmaker Therese Shechter presenting "My So-Called Selfish Life" Oct. 28, 2025.

The Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Barbara Shaw and Isis Nusair to talk about their new co-edited anthology, "Pedagogies of Interconnectedness."

2024 - 2025

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Cristina Masters.

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Ruha Benjamin.

Denison University’s Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Lauren Klein.

Denison University’s Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Cricket Keating.

2023 - 2024

Denison University’s Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Falami Devoe.

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Jamie Margolin.

The Laura C. Harris Series presents the Training for Change workshop with Nicole Ektnitphong.

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Syrian writer and journalist Samar Yazbek.

2022 - 2023

Denison University’s Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Robin Wall Kimmerer.

The Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Zahra Ali presenting a lecture.

The Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Judy Batalion discussing her book.

Denison University’s Laura C. Harris Series and Beck Series welcome Joy Harjo.

The Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Ester Gotfried Rwela and youth activists presenting a virtual panel discussion.

The Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Jasbir Puar presenting a lecture.

The Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Olena Nikolayenko presenting a lecture.

The Laura C. Harris Series is excited to welcome the Thiossane West African Dance Institute.

The Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Jessie Hill, Alana Jochum and Michele Storms presenting a virtual discussion.

2021 - 2022

Join us as we welcome visiting artist RYAN! Feddersen, creator of 'Black Snake Rising,' currently on view at the Denison Museum through May 13, 2022.

Denison University’s Dance Department, Laura C. Harris Series and Vail Series presents Red Sky Performance.

Denison University’s Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Maura García and Ahyoka Youngdeer.

The Denison Museum presents “Black Snake Rising” by RYAN! Feddersen

Join us for an evening artist talk with Will Wilson.

The Department of History, Black Studies Program, and Laura C. Harris Series welcome Alaina Roberts.

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Kim TallBear.

The Denison Museum presents “In Conversation: Will Wilson,” organized by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

2020 - 2021

The Laura C. Harris Series presents an IMPACT Safety workshop, "Defending Ourselves as Women of Color."

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Isis Campos.

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Kim TallBear.

Denison University's Hanne Blank discusses her new book "Fat."

Denison University welcomes the Laura C. Harris Scholar-in-Residence Isis Campos.

2019 - 2020

Denison University welcomes author Jane Gallop presenting "Sexuality, Disability, and Aging."

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Elena Conis.

Deirdre Cooper Owens presents a talk, "What Genealogies Reveal: Slavery, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology."

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Nancy Folbre.

Denison University’s Laura C. Harris Series speaker Heather Corinna presents a workshop, "Mutually Inclusive: Self Defense Against Selfish Sexuality."

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Heather Corinna and Hanne Blank.

Denison University presents a film screening and Q&A of the documentary "Crime After Crime."

Denison University’s Laura C. Harris Series speakers Shanna Katz Kattari and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha present a workshop.

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Shanna Katz Kattari and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha.

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Uzo Nwankpa.

2018 - 2019

Denison's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Laila Farah and Isis Nusair

Denison's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Jen Taylor Friedman

Denison University's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Bear Bergman and Zetta Elliott presenting "What's so subversive about inclusive kid's lit?"

Mary Frances Berry presents a keynote address titled "Race, Protest, and Politics: Where Do We Go From Here?" in conjunction with student performances

Denison's Laura C. Harris Series welcomes Paul Taylor, professor of philosophy at Vanderbilt University, presenting a talk.

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