- Day includes a free screening of 2013’s critically acclaimed ‘Her’, directed by Spike Jonze.

- Imagining 'We' in the Age of 'I' will be hosted for free in the Warwick Arts Centre on Saturday 29^th September.

- Includes panel discussions from leading academics on “how we approach and understand romance today”

- “We hope the event will be great fun but also really stimulating, presenting cutting edge thought on a topic that affects every single one of us directly or otherwise.”

- For details on how to attend click here.

How we think about romantic couples and families is to be examined at a free event at the University of Warwick, Imagining 'We' in the Age of 'I'.

Featuring a free screening of the critically acclaimed film HER, Imagining 'We' in the Age of 'I' will include a programme of discussions and audience Q&A with leading academics in the field – accompanied by complimentary afternoon refreshments.

Organised by Dr Mary Harrod of the University of Warwick, the discussions will investigate contemporary romance and are set to take place between 11.00-16.00 on the 29th September at the Warwick Arts Centre - at the heart of the Warwick campus:

- 11am - Welcome and 'Approaching Contemporary Romance as/and Social Bonding' - experts Professor Raja El Halwani (School of the Art Institute of Chicago), Dr. Maria San Filippo (Goucher College, Baltimore) and Dr. Suzanne Leonard (Simmons College, Boston) briefly introduce their research in this area.

- 11.45 - Introduction to Her (Spike Jonze, 2013) by Dr. Lawrence Webb (University of Sussex)

- 12-12.45 Lunch break

- 12.45-2.50 Screening of Her

- 3pm - 'Looking for Mr. Right(-Click): Coupling Cultures Today', chaired panel discussion with Professor Halwani and Drs. San Filippo, Leonard and Webb and audience Q&A and comment, on questions raised by the morning presentations and/or the film.

Commenting on the day’s programme Dr Harrod, of Warwick’s School of Modern Languages and Cultures, said:

“The aim of the day is to reflect on how recent changes are affecting the whole way we think about couples and by extension families, the most basic units of human social organisation. A free screening of the film HER, depicting love between a man and artificial intelligence, will provide a jumping off point for debate, focalising the huge role of new technological developments in shifting customs in the intimate sphere.

“We'll also hear from four expert speakers based in the US and UK about what their research can tell us is happening to how we approach and understand romance today.

“There will be plenty of time for audience questions and input in our afternoon panel, bringing together all the ideas raised by the film or presentations, with refreshments ensuring an informal atmosphere. We hope the event will be great fun but also really stimulating, presenting cutting edge thought on a topic that affects every single one of us directly or otherwise.”

30 August 2018

Contact:

Tom Frew, Senior Press and Media Relations Manager – University of Warwick:

E: a dot t dot frew at warwick dot ac dot uk
M: +44(0)7785433155