Material Struggles: A Symposium on Histories of Infrastructure in the U.S.

Recent political debates have focused on the role of physical infrastructure as a key driver of growth, stability and an equitable society in America for this generation and those to come. Infrastructure in the American context includes roads, bridges, telecommunication systems, electrical grids and vital public health interventions such as water pipe construction. This event will draw on themes from the disciplines of history, sociology, economics and media studies to explore the origins and evolution of American infrastructure and its impacts on the development of American society and especially persistent racial and ethnic inequities.

Our speakers include:

Deborah Cowen (University of Toronto)

Kevin Edmonds (University of Toronto)

Isaiah Ellis (University of Toronto)

Orit Halpern (Technische Universität Dresden)

Edson Severnini (Carnegie Mellon University)

Keynote: Yuriko Furuhata (McGill University)

Organized by the Centre for the Study of the United States, Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, Cinema Studies Institute, Department of Geography and Planning, Urban Studies Program, McLuhan Centre for Culture and Technology, Department of History and School of Cities , University of Toronto.