24th Annual Children’s Mental Health Research and Policy Conference

Russian researcher Irina Vainer 

If a conference has health, research or policy in its title, I'm usually drooling with excitement at the thought. I love learning about what other people are learning about, and innovating and creating.




I'm happily doing a couple of stories this week for WMNF on USF's 24th Annual Children’s Mental Health Research and Policy Conference. I produced one story so far on Monday's newscast, and the next should air on Friday, barring any more natural disasters. 

Educator & HCZ's CEO Geoffrey Canada

I'm not an academic by any means, but I'm so curious about the process of how research grows from one person's neat idea to something real and useful, and if the idea/person is really lucky and perseveres, how it (eventually) weaves itself into the structure of our daily lives.

Not all research, of course, hits the real world. But being around all those concepts and creative thinkers/inventors is still such a thrill.

USF Pres. Judy Genshaft introduces Keynote Speaker Geoffrey Canada. Also pictured, L-R: Dr. Mario Hernandez and his two mentees Kristen Robinson & Carolissa Salcedo, Canada, Sandra Spencer, MaryEllen Elia, Luann Panacek 

Writers in Paradise 2011

Sometimes living in paradise leads you to forget about the rest of the world. Which led me to completely drop the ball on writing about Eckerd College's Writers' Conference. I can't say enough good things about Eckerd and the tons of cultural happenings there (not to mention all the rad volunteering of its students & staff), so better late than never?

The conference wraps up tomorrow, and the professional writers (Richard Russo, Julianna Baggott, et al.) teaching the closed courses during the day have also been giving lectures that are open to the public in the evenings. I'm kicking myself for not having commuted out there every night this week.

Tonight at 8 p.m. Laura Lippman and Tom Perrotta will speak about the magic of writing fiction. Tomorrow is the final lecture with author (and Eckerd alum) Dennis Lehane.