Julia Penn Shaw, SUNY Empire State College associate professor of human development,and the 2016-2017 recipient of the Susan H. Turben Award for Excellence in Scholarship, will deliver the Susan H. Turben Faculty Lecture at the college’s 2016 Fall Academic Conference.

Shaw’s Turben lecture, “Construction of Meaning: Dimensions of Body and Mind,” is the capstone of the Susan H. Turben Scholarship Award.

The Turben lecture is scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct 20, and will be streamed live via the internet at www.esc.edu/esc-tv.

“Construction of Meaning: Dimensions of Body and Mind,” based on Shaw’s research at Harvard University, demonstrates that people not only create dimensions in physical space – length, width and breadth – but also in their self-social space.

Specifically, Shaw identified the similarities and differences between dimensions in physical space and in self-social space, which, she said, are "fascinating and perhaps surprising."

“Each of us has a favorite dimension as a starting point for meaningful experiences, upon which we may build multiple dimensions of meaning across our lifespan,” said Shaw.

During the Turben lecture, attendees will have a chance to consider what their “meaning-making” preference might be and how it might influence their interaction with others.

“This all sounds abstract, but examples make it approachable and real,” said Shaw.

About the Susan H. Turben Award

The Susan H. Turben Award for Excellence in Scholarship recognizes and honors a faculty member or professional employee for distinguished scholarly activity that is widely recognized and significantly enhances the academic reputation of Empire State College.

This award is supported through an endowment from the Susan and John Turben Foundation.

Along with serving as a member of the Empire State College Foundation Board of Directors, Turben has been a long-time, passionate supporter of professional development opportunities for the college’s faculty mentors.

Susan H. Turben ’72 was the second graduate of Empire State College.

Recent past Turben award winners include:

• Roxana Toma, 2015
• Nadine Fernandez, 2014
• Julie Gedro, 2013
• Gohar Marikyan, 2012
• Karen Garner, 2011
• Nataly Tcherepashenets, 2010.

At complete list of Turben recipients can be found here.