Events

Laffan, N. (CM) - Digital Memory Tools and Their Impact On Collective Remembering
2025-12-11 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Today, both individual and collective memories are increasingly mediated by digital platforms. Both are fundamentally enmeshed in platform ecosystems that orient around commercial imperatives very much at odds with community cohesion. The digital archive where our mediated memories are stored does not merely store information but actively inscribes it, often privileging narratives aligned with commercial incentives rather than community cohesion. This invisibility is a problem: as we offload our personal memories onto commercial tools, we unwittingly subject our shared past to algorithmic curation and “algo-time,” which raises serious questions about how the use of our personal devices is quietly restructuring the way societies remember.
During this presentation, I will propose a three-pronged method of investigating and engaging in this conceptual space. All three prongs revolve around a shared question : how do the technologies that extend our personal memories affect what we remember collectively? The research first establishes a conceptual ecology around the question by tracing the lifecycle of a single image from individual capture to platform archive. Second, it employs Research through Design (RtD) and speculative design methods to prototype tools explicitly built for collective remembrance rather than commercial extraction. Finally, it utilizes artistic practice to “diffract” these concepts, creating interactive installations that expose the distortions and contradictions inherent in digital memory. Together, these projects aim to make visible the hidden dynamics that shape the memories we construct together.
Host: Nate Laffan, Ph.D. Student, Computational Media
Advisor: Nathan Altice
Zoom- https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/93762016105?pwd=[REDACTED]
Passcode- 668969

ECE Supervision and Administration Info Session
2025-12-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Step into leadership in early childhood education.
The need for skilled supervisors and administrators in early learning programs continues to grow. Childcare centers, preschools, and early education organizations all rely on leaders who can manage teams, ensure quality, and meet state standards.
We’ll explore the key roles in early childhood supervision and administration—site director, program manager, owner/operator—and the essential skills to lead with confidence.
Topics

Curriculum planning
Staff development
Budgeting
Compliance
Best practices shaping the field

Speaker
Program Chair Ninet Moradi will lead our session while offering an inside look at how our flexible, fully online professional certificate helps you meet state permit requirements and advance your career in early childhood leadership.
This winter info session is sponsored by the ECE Supervision and Administration certificate program.

Register today.

Science in the Neighborhood: The End Game: Discovering how telomeres cause disease
2025-12-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Coastal Biology Building, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Science In the Neighborhood
A public lecture series hosted quarterly by the UC Santa Cruz Science Division
The End Game: Discovering how telomeres cause disease
Presentation by Carol Greider, Professor, UC Santa Cruz
Q&A with Susan Carpenter, Professor, UC Santa Cruz
Telomeres, the ends of chromosomes, play a pivotal role in human disease. Short telomeres cause age-related degenerative disease, while long telomeres predispose people to cancer. That’s why understanding how telomere length is regulated is so critical. Dr. Greider’s research is uncovering the mechanism of telomere length regulation so that we can devise approaches for disease treatment. By using new DNA-sequencing technology in a novel way, her team made a surprising discovery: Each chromosome end has a unique telomere-length distribution that is different from other chromosome ends. Dr. Greider will explain how this finding will help us better understand the role of telomeres in disease.
The event is in-person only. Register here.
December 11, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Coastal Biology Building. Rm. 110
UC Santa Cruz Coastal Campus
130 McAllister Way
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
The screenshot below shows where to find the entrance of the Coastal Biology Building.

Operation Unplug! Pledge to Leave Campus Sustainability this Winter Break
2025-12-12 00:00 - 2026-01-10 23:59, 2025-12-13 00:00 - 2026-01-11 23:59, 2025-12-14 00:00 - 2026-01-12 23:59, 2025-12-15 00:00 - 2026-01-13 23:59, 2025-12-16 00:00 - 2026-01-14 23:59, 2025-12-17 00:00 - 2026-01-15 23:59, 2025-12-18 00:00 - 2026-01-16 23:59, 2025-12-19 00:00 - 2026-01-17 23:59 and 1 more date
UCSC Energy Management and the Sustainability Office are leading the first annual “Operation Unplug” campaign to conserve energy (and reduce greenhouse gas emissions) during winter break. Before leaving your residence hall, apartment, or office, please unplug any fridges or minifridges, computers and/or monitors, power strips, and all other energy intensive appliances or equipment! Take the pledge and/or upload a photo of what you unplugged to the campaign’s google form for raffle entries to win one of two $50 gift certificates. Recruit your friends and coworkers for an additional entry each and try to be the winning building (the building with the most participants is guaranteed one raffle winner)! Operation Unplug is open to all students, staff, and faculty. Be the slug that pulls the plug!

Fermentation Basics
2025-12-14 10:00 - 12:30 | Hay Barn, 94 Ranch View Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, United States
Unlock the secrets of delicious, healthy, and home-crafted food at our Home Fermentation Workshop! This hands-on class dives deep into the art and science of fermentation, from understanding how beneficial microbes transform basic ingredients into delicious, healthy foods, to exploring a variety of home fermentation projects—including demonstrations of ferments like pickled vegetables and tangy yogurt. Then, roll up your sleeves for an interactive session where you’ll make your own batch of sauerkraut to take home, guided step-by-step in a friendly, supportive environment. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to expand your skills, you’ll leave with newfound confidence, inspiration, and your first jar of homemade kraut ready to ferment on your kitchen counter.
About the Instructor:
Anna Lee is a lecturer in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. She is a Master Composter and a Master Food Preserver through UC Cooperative Extension and holds an advanced certificate in ecological horticulture from the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at UC Santa Cruz and an MS in agroecology from University of Wisconsin, Madison.

REGISTER

Merrill College Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program
2025-12-15 08:00 - 2026-01-23 17:00
The program offers Merrill students an invaluable professional opportunity: the chance to work closely with a faculty member and get the kind of experience and advice that can prepare students for graduate or professional school or a career. Students who participate in the program will be employed as Research Assistants.
This program enables Merrill College Faculty Fellows to benefit from paid research assistance from an undergraduate affiliate of Merrill College.
The application is submitted by the faculty member rather than the student.
For additional information and application: DEADLINE EXTENDED to January 23, 2026
Merrill College Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program

Project and Program Management Info Session
2025-12-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Advance your career in project and program management.
As organizations tackle more complex initiatives, the demand for skilled project leaders continues to grow. Learn how professionals across industries use Agile methods, AI tools, and data-driven insights to manage scope, schedule, and cost effectively.
Join Tim Bombosch, chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Project and Program Management program, for an inside look at how our courses can help you strengthen your leadership, planning, and communication skills to deliver results and move your career forward.
This winter info session is sponsored by the Project and Program Management program.
Register today.

Western Regional Hub: Undergraduate Success Group Meeting
2025-12-16 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-30 12:00 - 13:00
Members of the hub’s working group focused on Undergraduate student success will meet to share ideas and strategize.
If you would like to be involved in the hub’s work, please contact Richard Raygoza at riraygoz@ucsc.edu

Marketing Management Info Session
2025-12-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Shape the future of marketing in the age of AI.
As digital transformation accelerates, organizations need marketers who can blend creativity with data-driven insight. Learn how professionals in Silicon Valley use analytics, automation, and AI-powered tools to design integrated campaigns, engage customers, and measure real results.
Join Ly-Huong Pham, Ph.D., M.B.A., chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Marketing Management program, for an inside look at how our updated courses can help you strengthen your skills in marketing strategy, digital media, and performance analytics—equipping you to lead in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace.
This winter info session series is sponsored by the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Marketing Management program.
Register today.

Pre-College Program Info Session
2025-12-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Learn more about UCSC Pre-College Programs
Discover what’s possible in Summer 2026! Join us for a one-hour online info session to learn about our Pre-College Programs, including courses, eligibility, and how students can get a head start on college and career pathways.
Register today.

A Celtic Christmas
2025-12-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Music Center Recital Hall, 400 McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
A winter holiday celebration of Irish music, dance, song, and storytelling. A Celtic Christmas is now in its 30th year touring nationally. Rekindle the flame in the hearth ​with stories, music, song and dance from the rich treasury of Ireland’s cultural heritage. Spend an evening with native Irish storyteller Tomáseen Foley and some of the most gifted Celtic musicians, dancers and singers performing anywhere today, both sides of the Atlantic. Thanks to the Celtic Society of the Monterey for their support.
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ADMISSION
– General admission $55.20; Celtic Society Member Discount $49.87.
– Tickets available HERE online through Eventbrite only.
– Doors are scheduled to open 30 minutes prior to event start time.
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PARKING
– Parking by permit, ParkMobile, or $5 cash/check/credit via the onsite parking attendant in Lot 126
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event
– Visitors with DMV placards or plates may park for free in DMV spaces, Medical spaces, or ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, or in timed zones for longer than the posted time.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS)
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This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

Engineering Teaching Community (Faculty)
2025-12-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Jack Baskin Engineering, Baskin Engineering 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
During the chaos of a quarter, is it hard to find time to reflect and improve as an instructor? Would you like to be a part of an inclusive, supportive group of engineering instructors who do this in community? ETC is for sharing teaching experiences, classroom ideas, research on learning, and methods that support instructors and students. All are welcome, and lunch is provided. Please reach out to Jenny Quynn with questions.

First Saturday Tour at the Arboretum
2026-01-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Arboretum, 122 Arboretum Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your knowledge of the Arboretum’s plant collections. Each tour is a little different depending on the time of year, the interests of the tour guide, and the people who join in. For example, you might learn about the birds and mammals that make this land their home or about the amazing physical adaptations that plants have evolved to better deal with our extreme weather and climate conditions. Tours are free with paid admission.

Bioinformatics Info Session
2026-01-05 05:00 - 18:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Lead the next wave of innovation in life sciences and data.
As biotechnology and data analytics converge, the demand for professionals who can interpret complex biological data and drive discovery continues to grow. Learn how experts in bioinformatics use computational tools, programming, and molecular biology to transform raw data into scientific and medical insights.
Your Speaker
Join us to discover what’s ahead for our program—including welcoming our program chair, Darryl León, launching updated courses, and integrating practical AI tools across the curriculum. Darryl will provide an inside look at how our courses can help you strengthen your skills in data analysis, genomics, and software tools—preparing you to contribute to advances in biotech, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.
Sponsor
This winter info session is sponsored by the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Bioinformatics certificate program.
Claim your seat!

Ecology of Presence: Pathways to the Natural World
2026-01-05 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-01-06 12:00 - 17:00 | Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery, 11 Cowell Service Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Norris Center Art + Science Graduate Fellowship Exhibition
Ecology of Presence: Pathways to the Natural World brings together the work of ten graduate students supported by the Kenneth S. Norris Center for Natural History Art + Science Fellowship, a program dedicated to creative research connecting art with the natural world. Across media – including sound, moving image, music, performance, installation, comics, social practice, photography, and storytelling – the artists in Ecology of Presence emphasize relationality and careful attention to place as essential to building relationships with environs. As accelerating environmental change and technological dependency threaten ways of belonging, the works in this exhibition maintain a steadfast commitment to interdisciplinary approaches that propose kinship with the natural world. By coming together, Art + Science Fellows artworks and social practices suggest ways of imagining human life in relation to the more-than-human world.

CM Seminar - "How Technology-Mediated Food Interactions Support Family Connection and Routine Reconstruction"
2026-01-05 12:30 - 13:30 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Presented by: Aswati Panicker
Description: “In this talk, I draw on work in human-food interaction (HFI) to examine how food can serve as a rich interaction medium for connection and routine reconstruction in long-distance families. I highlight insights from three of my studies that explore this question across different technological forms. First, I discuss how families navigate shifting meanings of “healthy eating” during life transitions, and the tensions that arise when disclosing new goals and priorities in health-sharing or tracking tools. Second, I show how family members expressed hesitations, value conflicts, and visions for cultural or playful moments when imagining embodied technology such as a social robot within their domestic spaces. Third, through a mobile app probe for teaching food knowledge and recipes, I uncover the subtleties of how family members seek to initiate, learn, guide, or be guided through everyday food practices. Throughout, I outline design implications and close by reflecting on how technology-mediated food interactions might extend to other contexts and routines beyond family life.”
Bio: Aswati Panicker is a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Santa Cruz, working with Prof. Christina Chung. Her research is at the intersection of HCI and CSCW, focusing on how technologies are designed and used in social and health-related contexts. She takes a human-centered, participatory approach and draws on theories from family studies and sociology in her work. She earned her PhD in Informatics from Indiana University Bloomington in July 2025. You can read more at aswatipanicker.com

Hosted by: Professor Christina Chung
When: Monday, January 5, 2026 from 12:30PM to 1:30PM
Location:
IN-PERSON @ SVC 3212.
Viewing room @ UCSC Main Campus, E2-280.
LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED AT BOTH LOCATIONS! Faculty and students are highly encouraged to attend.
Zoom info:
https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/98742808551?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 987 4280 8551
Passcode: [REDACTED]

AM Seminar with Dr. Truong Vu
2026-01-05 16:00 - 17:00
Presenter: Dr. Truong Vu, IPAM and MSU
Description: We present a framework for the gradient flow of sharp-interface surface energies that couple to embedded curvature active agents. We use a penalty method to develop families of locally incompressible gradient flows that couple interface stretching or compression to local flux of interfacial mass. We establish the convergence of the penalty method to an incompressible flow both formally for a broad family of surface energies and rigorously for a more narrow class of surface energies.
Bio: Dr. Vu received a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science at University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Vu is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (UCLA) and a visiting faculty in the Department of Mathematics at Michigan State University.
Hosted by: Applied Mathematics

Community Day: Free Admission at the Arboretum
2026-01-06 09:00 - 17:00 | Arboretum, 122 Arboretum Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
The first Tuesday of each month, the Arboretum is open without charge to visitors. See dates and times UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden is open. NOTE: Due to limited parking at the Arboretum and the popularity of Community Day, we greatly encourage visitors to carpool, bike, walk or use public transportation as much as possible.

Silicon Chip Design & Semiconductor Engineering Info Session
2026-01-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Silicon Valley Campus, 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, CA, 95054, United States
Build the semiconductors powering the future.
With the global demand for advanced chips on the rise, engineers who can design, simulate, and optimize integrated circuits are highly sought after. Learn how professionals in Silicon Valley develop digital and analog systems, apply verification methodologies, and leverage modern EDA tools to bring innovative designs from concept to silicon.
Speaker
Join Arvind Vidyarthi, chair of the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension Silicon Chip Design & Semiconductor Engineering program, for an inside look at how our courses provide hands-on experience, industry-relevant skills, and the practical knowledge needed to pursue careers in chip design, verification, and semiconductor engineering.
Sponsor
This winter info session is sponsored by the Silicon Chip Design & Semiconductor Engineering program.

Register today!

Drop-In Figure Drawing
2026-01-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center, Baskin Service Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Drop-In Draw provides a live model and room monitor. There is no formal lesson and only dry media is allowed (no paints).
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ADVISORIES
– These events contain mature content and nudity.
– Drop-In Draw is subject to the possibility of last-minute cancellation without notification, and sessions are not guaranteed.
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ADMISSION
– FREE and open to the public
– UCSC Art Department Room L-101
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
This series occurs weekly on Tuesday evenings during winter quarter, including the following:
Tuesday January 6, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 13, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 20, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 27, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 3, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 10, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 17, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 24, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 3, 2026, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Additional dates to be announced for spring quarter.
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PARKING
– Parking by permit or ParkMobile.
– Arts Lot #126 is the closest parking lot to the event.
– Visitors with DMV placards or plates may park for free in DMV spaces, Medical spaces, or ParkMobile spaces without additional payment, or in timed zones for longer than the posted time.
– More information provided by UCSC Transportation & Parking Services (TAPS).
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This program is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.
