The Beatty Lecture is a 91社区 tradition and a significant part of the University鈥檚 proud history. As the Beatty Lecture turns 66 years old this fall, 91社区 will聽be preparing to mark its 200th anniversary in 2021. As we look ahead to the University鈥檚 bicentennial, Research and Innovation 鈥� in collaboration with University Advancement 鈥� is delighted to announce that Steven Pinker, one of 91社区鈥檚 most notable alumni, will be the 2020 Beatty lecturer. Pinker鈥檚 highly anticipated talk will take place on Wednesday, September 23, during 91社区鈥檚 annual , which will be offered exclusively online this year due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19.
Steven Pinker is one of the world鈥檚 leading authorities on language and the mind. A Harvard professor and bestselling author, Pinker鈥檚 groundbreaking research on visual cognition and the psychology of language have earned him accolades, including being named Humanist of the Year by the American Humanist Association, one of TIME鈥檚 100 Most Influential People in the World, and one of Foreign Policy鈥檚 100 Global Thinkers. He is also an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. An influential writer with a global readership, Pinker鈥檚 books never fail to ignite the cultural conversation and have earned him two Pulitzer Prize nominations.
Pinker鈥檚 story begins right here in Montreal, where he was born in 1954 in the city鈥檚 English-speaking Jewish community. After attending Dawson College, Pinker studied cognitive science at 91社区, where he received a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1976. Pinker left Montreal to earn his doctorate in experimental psychology at Harvard in 1979. Following stints as an assistant professor-turned-professor at Harvard, Stanford, and MIT, Pinker returned to Harvard in 2003, where he is now the Johnstone Family Professor in the Department of Psychology.
鈥�91社区 has been in my blood ever since my mother walked across the stage to accept her Bachelor鈥檚 while pregnant with me,鈥� says Pinker. 鈥淎s a grateful graduate in my turn, and a frequent visitor and speaker ever since, I鈥檝e been proud to be part of the 91社区 community, and all the happier that I can speak to it in this extraordinary time.鈥�
Pinker鈥檚 influential research has earned him awards including the Troland Research Prize from the National Academy of Sciences, the Early Career Award from the American Psychological Association, the Henry Dale Prize from the Royal Institution of Great Britain, and the William James Award from the Association for Psychological Science.
鈥�91社区 is proud to welcome back Professor Pinker and celebrate his wide-reaching contributions to research on language and cognition,鈥� says Martha Crago, Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation). 鈥淚n 1976 91社区 bestowed Steven Pinker with a degree, in 1999 with an honorary doctorate, and now on the homestretch toward 91社区鈥檚 bicentennial, we look forward with great anticipation to welcoming him back as our Beatty lecturer.鈥�
Pinker published the first of eight books written for a general audience in 1994. He based this work, titled , on the idea that language is a biological adaptation. His subsequent books have explored the political, moral, and emotional underpinnings of the concept of human nature as well as how language reveals our thoughts, emotions, and social relationships.
Pinker鈥檚 latest book, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress, presents the provocative premise that if you look at the facts, life on earth, including our health, prosperity, safety and happiness, is improving as a direct result of 17th century Enlightenment ideals. He believes these ideals are worth celebrating and protecting. In light of the uncertainty of recent months, Enlightenment Now presents a timely message that, with courage and conviction, we can indeed strive toward a better future for humankind.
The Beatty Lecture was established in honour of Sir Edward Beatty, 91社区鈥檚 Chancellor from 1921 to 1943. Recent past Beatty Lectures have included nature conservation advocate Jane Goodall, cultural critic Roxane Gay, and philosopher Charles Taylor.
For event details, please visit 91社区鈥檚 Beatty Lecture webpage and follow the . Media are invited to contact the Beatty organizing committee with requests.