The Merrill Series
Created in 2006, The Merrill Series features an annual panel discussion highlighting the diverse talents and interests of Commonwealth community members. The Commonwealth School Alumni/ae Association (CWSAA) named these spirited discussions as a fitting way to honor the educational philosophy of Charles Merrill.
We invite you to watch recent Merrill Series recordings below and to check this page for upcoming events in the future.
Past Events
AI Hype vs. Reality: Navigating Safety, Ethics, and Data Protection
Featuring Duncan Eddy ’09, Rebecca Wright ’84, and Tahmid Rahman ’13, moderated by Catherine Brewster
When it comes to AI: what's fact, what's hype, and what comes next? Listen in as Duncan Eddy ’09 (Executive Director, Stanford Center for AI Safety), Rebecca Wright ’84 (Professor and Chair of Computer Science, Barnard College), and Tahmid Rahman ’13 (Software Engineer, Google) engage in a thought-provoking discussion about AI’s potential benefits, ethical dilemmas, data privacy risks, and possible negative real-world consequences.
#Storytelling for a Modern Audience
Featuring Diantha Parker ’90, moderated by David Kravitz ’82
How can you craft stories that hold the attention of savvy digital readers and listeners in a saturated market? And how has journalism shifted post-Internet, post-podcast boom, and post-pandemic? Tune in as Diantha Parker ’90 covers these questions and more, while delving into her experience working with NPR, The New York Times, and other platforms in another fascinating conversation moderated by David Kravitz ’82.
#Storytelling for a Modern Audience
Featuring Diantha Parker ’90, moderated by David Kravitz ’82
How can you craft stories that hold the attention of savvy digital readers and listeners in a saturated market? And how has journalism shifted post-Internet, post-podcast boom, and post-pandemic? Tune in as Diantha Parker ’90 covers these questions and more, while delving into her experience working with NPR, The New York Times, and other platforms in another fascinating conversation moderated by David Kravitz ’82.
Building Community-Scale Renewable Energy
Featuring Raphaela Hsu-Flanders ’11, moderated by David Kravitz ’82
We were delighted to welcome Raphaela Hsu-Flanders ’11 as our 2022 Merrill Series speaker. She discussed her work as the Renewable Programs manager at the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, where she leads the development and implementation of community-scale renewable energy for low-income and tribal communities across the Pacific Northwest. Many thanks to our moderator David Kravitz ’82 as well!
Building Inclusive Technology
Featuring Cecily Morrison '98, moderated by David Kravitz ’82
Cecily Morrison ’98, Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research, joined us on February 27, 2021, to discuss her work in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Human-Computer Interaction designing accessible technology for people who are blind or low vision. Our sincerest thanks to Cecily and to David Kravitz ’82 for serving as our host.
A Conversation about the Courts—What's at Stake?
Featuring David Kravitz ’82 and Trustee Charles Fried P’79, ’81, GP’19, ’23
On December 3, 2020, we were delighted to welcome David Kravitz ’82 and trustee Charles Fried P’79, ’81, GP’19, ’23 as our first Uncommon Conversations speakers, as they discussed the future of the courts, inspired by Professor Fried’s recent opinion piece on the Supreme Court in The New York Times.