First PUBlic Professor presentation is child’s play

Since the end of the Second World War, the opportunity for children to freely engage in play has gradually declined.

The reasons for the decline is from the desire to ensure that children are spending more time in more “useful” activities, such as formal learning, and avoiding unnecessary risks of physical of psychological injury.

Within the same years, the prevalence of psychopathology, including depression, anxiety and feelings of alienation among children has increased. Along with those studies, there is a growing body of experimental evidence from studies done with non-human animals that suggests not.

Tonight, the University of Lethbridge neuroscience professor Sergio Pellis, will present his work, “A Journey Though the Fields of Play,” as the kickoff to the new season of the Faculty of Arts & Science PUBlic Professor Series. The free event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge and is open to the public.

Pellis received his PhD in animal behaviour/ethology in 1980 from Monash University, Australia, and spent 1982-1990 at the University of Illinois, Tel Aviv University and University of Florida where he received post-doctoral training in behavioural neuroscience and movement analysis. Pellis has been a professor at the U of L since 1990 with the main focus of his research being on the role peer-to-peer play has in the development of social competence.

The Faculty of Arts & Science launched their first PUBlic Professor Series in 2014 as a way to engage the community through a monthly, thought-provoking series of pubstyle talks that brings a range of experts and researchers from across the arts and sciences community. These talks provide people with insight into issues of popular interest to the public, and in turn provoke questions and spirited conversation.

For more information on this professor series, or for future sessions the university has scheduled, visit ulethbridge.ca.

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