Deborah Hughes Hallett, professor of mathematics at the University of Arizona and adjunct professor of public policy at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, will give a lecture entitled “Would You Do It? Random Drug Testing” on Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m. in Olin Hall, room 149. Hallett’s compelling presentation is free and open to the public.
According to the United States Statistical abstract, 30.9% of youth between the ages of 12 to 17 have engaged in the use of illicit drugs including marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens and alcohol. The same source reports that the total number of juvenile arrests for possession of these illicit drugs continues to rise. Hallett’s lecture asks some important questions, such as is random drug testing in schools or by parents a possible solution to this problem? Is this practice legal? Is it safe? And how much information do we need before embarking on such a program?
Hallett is a graduate of Cambridge University in England and has taught at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. Her primary research focuses on strategies to improve the teaching of mathematics, and she is particularly interested in promoting international cooperation between mathematicians. With Andrew Gleason at Harvard, she organized the Calculus Consortium for Higher Education and started a foundation to promote innovative curriculum and pedagogy. She has served on committees for the National Academy of Sciences and organized three international conferences on the teaching of mathematics. She is a fellow of the American Advancement of Science and the author or coauthor of seven books, which have been translated into several languages. Her work has been recognized with prizes from Harvard, Arizona, the Association for Women in Mathematics, and the Mathematical Association of America.
Hallett’s appearance is sponsored by the economics department and QuIRK, Carleton’s Quantitative Inquiry, Reasoning, and Knowledge Initiative. Quirk aims to prepare students to evaluate and use quantitative evidence for use in quantitative reasoning and the presentation of quantitative arguments.
For more information and disability accommodations, contact Nathan Grawe, associate professor of economics, at (507) 222-5239.