USD IdeaFest Set for April 9-10, Theo Lynn and Susan Puumala to Keynote
For over 34 years, USD has celebrated research, creative scholarship and academic engagement through the IdeaFest symposium. The two-day event is held each spring and includes presentations from undergraduate and graduate students spanning a range of disciplines.
“I believe students should participate in IdeaFest because public speaking is an essential skill,” said Mariana Astete, a graduate student in the USD Department of Art who has participated in IdeaFest and is presenting again this year. “Sharing what you’re working on in school is something we should all be doing. It’s fascinating and motivating to see the variety of topics and areas being explored. If you’re passionate about something and believe it’s important, then it’s worth sharing with others.”
In addition to showcasing USD student research, IdeaFest features two keynote speakers.
This year’s speakers are Theo Lynn, Ph.D., professor of digital business and associate dean for research at Dublin City University Business School in Ireland, and Susan Puumala, Ph.D., professor of practice in the USD School of Health Sciences.
Lynn will give the talk “Likes Over Logic: How Social Media Shapes Gen Z’s Nutrition Beliefs.” In the age of TikTok and Instagram, Gen Z navigates a flood of diet and nutrition advice – some credible, much misleading. In the keynote, Lynn will discuss some of his research with MyFitnessPal on the state of nutritional IQ, where we get our nutritional advice and who is trust by TikTok users and why.
Lynn’s keynote will take place on Wednesday, April 9 from 12-1 p.m. in the Muenster University Center ballroom.
Puumala will give the talk “Developing the Public Health Workforce through Collaboration and Partnerships.” Building partnerships and collaborating among broad groups are at the core of public health. The USD School of Health Sciences strives to teach and model these skills, for both its students and its partners. Puumala will discuss two programs that embody these goals: collaboration with the South Dakota Department of Health, and the development of public health related interprofessional activities. Puumala’s presentation will show how these projects and their focus on partnership and collaboration, benefit students, faculty, public health practitioners and communities throughout South Dakota.
Puumala’s keynote will take place on Thursday, April 10 from 12-1 p.m. in the Muenster University Center ballroom.
IdeaFest is free and open to all students, faculty and staff, and community members. Most of the events will take place in the Muenster University Center.
For more information about IdeaFest, visit usd.edu/IdeaFest.
You May Also Like
Offering Hope: Nursing Student and USD HOSA President Donates Stem Cells
Committed to making a difference in the lives of others, University of South Dakota nursing student Ashley Miedema extended this commitment by becoming a stem cell donor. Now, she advocates for others to do the same.
Kari Oyen Receives NASP President's Award
Kari Oyen, LP, CSP, Ph.D. ‘16, Ed.S. ‘08, program director and associate professor in the Division of Counseling and Psychology in Education, received the President’s Award from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) for representing school psychology at the American Psychological Association (APA).
Knudson School of Law Students Attend Agricultural Law Educational Symposium
Seven students from the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law, accompanied by Tyler Moore, J.D., associate professor of law, recently attended the 45th Annual Agricultural Law Educational Symposium at the Peabody Memphis Hotel in Tennessee.
