The College of Communication and Information Sciences is hosting its fifth annual symposium on diversity, Discerning Diverse Voices, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday in 205 Gorgas Library.

The event showcases research projects done on a variety of topics pertaining to diversity. Some of the topics covered include socioeconomic status, race and sexual orientation.

“Diversity is always a part of the conversation whether we make it explicit or not,” said Adam Sharples, a Ph.D. candidate in the department of communication studies.

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While diversity serves as the symposium’s focus, faculty members said the research aspect of the event is equally important. Robin Boylorn, an assistant professor in the department of communication, said she thinks research like what is presented at the symposium is important for our society.

“People have been taught to believe that it is impolite or wrong to talk about difference, so when we encounter it in our lives, it is shrouded in silence and shame and seen as taboo,” Boylorn said.

This year, the symposium has received more submissions than any previous year.

George Daniels, an associate professor in the department of journalism, said one of the more important aspects of the symposium is the involvement of undergraduate students and their personal research. Daniels said it is important for students to see what they can contribute in terms of researching diversity.

“It’s exciting to present alongside those I have such great respect for, and it shows the value our University places on undergraduate contributions to the academic field,” Mary Sellars Shaw, an undergraduate student presenting at the symposium, said.

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Shaw’s research investigated the impact of diversity on the Greek system and covered the efforts of Blend, a group promoting student diversity. Researching diversity allowed her to examine ways that the many communication barriers that are present on campus can be brought down, she said.

Attendees can expect a variety of different experiences throughout the day. The morning session starts at 9 a.m. and is dedicated to student research projects. The posters will also be available throughout the day for viewing.

Anyone dropping by during lunch will be able to hear about radio projects concerning civil rights. 

The keynote speaker, Tony Adams, assistant professor in the department of communication, media and theatre at Northern Illinois University, will address the symposium at 4 p.m. Adams’ works, including his book, “Narrating the Closet,” highlight LGBTQ issues while also challenging his readers to examine the impact they have on others who might be different than themselves.

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