To Boldly Go: Disability, Diplomacy, and Star Trek's Vision of the Future

Description

Celebrate Star Trek Day 2025 with a thought-provoking discussion on the intersections of representation, inclusion, and diplomacy in Star Trek. Drawing from her essays "Disability in Intergalactic Environments" and "Words Are Here on Top: Diplomacy in Star Trek," Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, former U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Malta, explores how the Star Trek franchise offers a unique lens into how we imagine—and negotiate—equity across the stars.

This conversation, moderated by Darcie Droudt-Véjares, PhD '21, will examine how characters like Geordi La Forge, Riva, and Melora Pazlar bring disability into the heart of the United Federation of Planets' mission while also considering how Star Trek reflects and challenges real-world models of diplomacy. Whether debating eugenics in "The Masterpiece Society" or dissecting "cowboy diplomacy" through the evolution of Starfleet captains, this program offers a compelling look at how science fiction can illuminate our collective aspirations and contradictions.

This event is offered through Hopkins at Home. Please attend the event by using the Hopkins at Home link.