Abernethy Lecture Series
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David B. Abernethy Autobiographical Reflections Lecture Series
Autobiographical Reflections" is a quarterly speaker series begun in 2006 in which distinguished retired professors speak about their early lives, careers, inspirations, and post-retirement experiences and perspectives. In 2019 the series was named for David Abernethy, Emeriti/ae Council Chair from 2006 to 2018. Lectures are available on the web through Stanford Apple Podcasts at Emeriti/ae Council Autobiographical Reflections.
Current Year Lectures:
- October 22, 2025 | 4 - 6 PM | The Stanford Faculty Club, Cedar Room
"My Autobiographical Reflections," lecture by Eric Roberts, Charles Simonyi Professor in the Department of Computer Science, Emeritus. Recording available here. - January 29, 2026 | 4 - 6 PM | The Stanford Faculty Club, Cedar Room
"My Journey from Fine Arts to Chemistry," lecture by Lucy Shapiro, Virginia and D. K. Ludwig Professor in the Department of Developmental Biology, Emerita. Recording available here. - April 21, 2026 | 4 - 6 PM | The Stanford Faculty Club, Cedar Room
“On Second Thought: Women, History, and Stanford,” lecture by Estelle Freedman, Edgar E. Robinson Professor of United States History, Emerita. Recording available here.
Prior Year Lectures:
- October 23, 2024. Lecture by Claude M. Steele, Lucie Stern Professor in the Social Sciences, Emeritus, entitled "A Talk for My Emeriti Colleagues."
- February 27, 2025. Lecture by Philip A. Pizzo, David and Susan Heckerman Professor Emeritus, and former Dean, Stanford School of Medicine, entitled "The Threads that Connect a Life."
April 9, 2025. Lecture by Susan K. McConnell, Susan B. Ford Professor Emerita in the Department of Biology, entitled "Different trees, same roots: My life as a biologist and photographer.”