International migration first topic of annual Great Decisions Lecture Series

Sebastian Cobarrubias, an assistant professor in the Department of Global, International and Area Studies, will discuss international migration as the first talk in the 2016 Great Decisions Lecture Series sponsored by the Office of International Programs. The presentation will be at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 27, at UNC Charlotte Center City, Room 204.

As a researcher, Cobarrubias studies border and migration policy, immigrant rights, social movements, global economic restructuring as well as critical uses of cartography. His current research builds upon a recently completed post-doctoral project funded through the National Science Foundation; it focuses on the externalization of border policy on the part of the European Union into Northern and Western Africa.

The Foreign Policy Association, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop awareness, understanding and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues, coordinates this national speaker series. It provides background information and policy options for the most critical issues facing America each year and serves as the focal text for discussion groups across the country.

The other speakers and topics for UNC Charlotte’s 2016 Great Decisions series are:

• Cindy Combs, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, who will discuss the United Nations post-2015 on Feb. 3
• Amal Khoury, Department of Global, International and Area Studies, who will talk about shifting alliances in the Middle East on Feb. 10
• Kathryn Johnson, Department of Religious Studies, who will address the rise of ISIS on Feb. 17
• Greg Weeks, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, who will discuss Cuba and the United States on Feb. 24.

All talks will be at 6:30 p.m. in UNC Charlotte Center City, Room 204. The events are free and open to the public, but registration is requested.