Humanitarian Scholar Amanda McCorkindale ’06, PhD, to Deliver Series of Interactive, Humanities Talks at UMass Amherst Nov. 14-15

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The College of Humanities and Fine Arts will host a series of interactive, humanities-related events featuring Amanda McCorkindale '06, PhD, senior lecturer in Humanitarian Studies at the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute at the University of Manchester, from Nov. 14-15. 

With expertise in humanitarianism, education, and humanitarian action, McCorkindale’s research and teaching focus on bridging academic theory with real-world practice. She holds an MA in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response (University of Manchester), a MScEd in Secondary Social Studies Education (Hofstra University) and a BA in History with a minor in Sociology (UMass Amherst).  

Her PhD in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response (University of Manchester) focused on using empathy as a critical pedagogy when teaching young people about global and local humanitarian topics jointly supervised in HCRI and the Education department. She teaches and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students, contributing to HCRI’s interdisciplinary focus on humanitarianism, history, peace, conflict, medicine, disaster response and resiliency.   

Her current research focuses on humanitarian pedagogy (including humanitarian education, empathy, trauma-informed approaches and disaster risk reduction); and humanitarian ethics and decision-making. 

The event schedule is as follows. 

“You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train” — Humanitarian Actors and the Challenges of Neutrality 

Thursday, Nov. 14 
4-5:30 p.m. 
South College, E501 Tower Room 

Consider the complexities of humanitarian action and how your undergraduate education prepares you to be an effective actor. In this talk, McCorkindale will use Howard Zinn’s historical discussion on whether one can “remain neutral on a moving train” as it applies to the humanitarian arena and the core principle of neutrality. This session explores the ethical dilemmas of humanitarian actors and unpacks the concept of neutrality. Is it possible to remain neutral in today’s international arena? Should humanitarian actors be neutral? What is the impact and potential consequences of speaking out? 

Study Abroad Talk and Info Session 

Friday, Nov. 15 
10-11:30 a.m. 
South College West Commons, Room W360

Start your adventure by exploring available study abroad programs that can help you achieve your academic goals! The study abroad experience offers an opportunity to grow academically, professionally, socially, and personally. Students will hear from McCorkindale as well as Eric Wirth (Manager of Global Partnerships), AJ LeBlanc (UMass Abroad Advising Center Coordinator & Education Abroad Advisor), and Mark Eckman (Executive Director of Education Abroad) from the International Programs Office. 

Working with Organizations in Humanitarian Contexts 

Friday, Nov. 15 
3:30-5 p.m. 
Thompson Hall Conference Room 420 

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Political Science and Legal Studies program, the Human Security Lab will host this talk with McCorkindale, who will speak on "Working with Organizations in Humanitarian Contexts." 

Learn more at umass.edu/humanities-arts/amanda-mccorkindale.