YSU Announces Interdisciplinary Military History Lecture Series

Youngstown State University will present “Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Military History,” a four-part public lecture series examining the evolution and impact of conflict across historical, cultural, social and political contexts.

The free series will be held during the 2026-27 academic year at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor. Each session will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and include short presentations, a moderated roundtable discussion, audience questions and a reception.

The series is presented by YSU’s Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and Department of Art. It is designed for faculty, students, staff, veterans and community members.

The schedule includes:

• Oct. 12, 2026: “Conquest, Memory, and Indigenous Resistance,” featuring Luke Hardy, Matt O’Mansky and David Simonelli, moderated by Martha Pallante.
• Nov. 11, 2026: “Remembering War: Memory, Media and Cultural Trauma,” featuring Amy Fluker, Kyle Starkey and Laura Beadling, moderated by Stephanie Smith.
• Feb. 23, 2027: “War and Social Transformation," featuring Tomi Ovaska, Tim Francisco and Joe Alessi, moderated by Pallante, Beadling and Smith.
• March 22, 2027: “Landscapes of Conflict: Environment, Borders, and Military Space,” featuring Pallante, Smith and Brian Bonhomme and Dawna Cerney, moderated by Beadling.

The sessions will explore subjects including warfare, conquest, Indigenous resistance, cultural memory, political upheaval, social hierarchies, geography and military space.

The YHCIL, YSU Veteran’s Resource Center, Cliffe College of Creative Arts and Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education are among the series’ sponsors and partners.

For more information, visit the Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Military History website.