Students and professors swarmed Café des Taxis for the first ever student-led Professors in the Pub event in AAU history, directed by the Chair of International Relations, welcoming a range of unexpected perspectives on current global issues.
This month’s Professors in Pub attracted many attendees with its refreshing student-led discussion format, diverting from the former setup that relied on predetermined topics decided by the professors. For this rendition, students voted on topics nominated by early arrivals sitting at the center table, leading to discussions on issues such as explosive devices in the Middle East, state surveillance and the influence of AI on society.
“Everyone seems to know so much about the Middle East. I’m from America, and it comes out a lot in the news but I’m not as educated as these people who have very specific examples,” said Lily, a transferred humanities student. “I loved the clarity from the professor when they answered my questions. I love that everybody participates and they encourage you to ask questions.”
The bustling atmosphere transformed the cozy café into a heated discussion hall as attendees actively voiced their opinions, particularly during the debates on explosive pagers. The discussions emerged due to the recurring geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The discourse continued with the reflections on the Middle East’s history of conflicts, often rooted in colonial legacies, resource competition, and differing national identities. Students emphasized the need for peaceful resolutions, highlighting open dialogue as a way to raise awareness.
“It’s really interesting because this is my first time at Professors in the Pub and this is a topic that I don’t really know. I enjoy listening and hearing all these opinions and everything,” said Campbell, a third-year humanities student. “I feel like everyone is really comfortable talking and I appreciate how not only the professors are involved but the students also.”
Professors in the Pub lived up to its reputation for drawing a large crowd, highlighting an AAU tradition worth preserving. Tune in every month for even more heated discussions and unique topics!
