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Spotlight Series and Other Talks

Join the Northwestern Community in discussing The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver and the role of data and predictions with leading Northwestern faculty members. Each discussion will focus on a different topic.

Scheduled Discussions:

All discussions take place from 5-6 PM at the University Main Library, New Book Nook

Politics
October 26, 2016

Join the Northwestern Community in discussing The Signal and the Noise by Nate Silver and the role of data and predictions in politics with Assistant Professor Thomas Ogorzalek.

Ogorzalek is a professor in both Political Science and Urban Studies in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, a Faculty Associate in Northwestern's Institute for Policy Research, and a Faculty Fellow at the Center for Civic Engagement. As co-Director of the Chicago Democracy Project, he researches the relationship between rapid demographic change, city politics, and major shifts in American political history. 

Politics Book Discussion Guide

Economy
November 17, 2016

Join Economics professor Jeff Ely to discuss the predictability of the 2008 market crash, international economies, and the stock market today.

Economy Book Discussion Guide

Public Health, Terrorism, and Medicine
January 12, 2017
Join us for a discussion of public health, terrorism, and medicine with regards to The Signal and the Noise (Professor Nicholas Soulakis).

Public Health, Terrorism, and Medicine Book Discussion Guide

How Should I Invest? What the Efficient Market Hypothesis Does and Does Not Say?
January 18, 2017

Professor Robert Korajczyk discusses how the Efficient Market Hypothesis can help guide smart investment strategy.

How should I invest: Presentation Slides

Weather and Climate Change
February 2, 2017

Join us for a discussion of weather and climate change-related issues with regards to The Signal and the Noise (Professor Yarrow Axford).

Weather and Climate Change Book Discussion Guide

Sports
April 5, 2017
Join Statistics professor Tom Severini to lead a discussion on predictions in the sports world.

Sports Book Discussion Guide