BC Lowell Humanities Series Archives

“Writing Poetry is Crying”: Metres Expresses Artistic Vulnerability

Tate Uffelman • October 25, 2025

The poetry of Philip Metres, which explores themes of resistance, displacement, and refuge, has been shaped by his travels and cultural encounters. Born in San Diego to Lebanese and Irish parents, Metres has lived in Brooklyn, Chicago, Moscow, and Cleveland.

Miles Dissects the Relationship Between Nature and Enslaved Women

Kalia Philbert • October 11, 2025

The Lowell Humanities Series welcomed Tiya Miles of Harvard University, an award-winning author and research professional, for a lecture titled “Eco-Consciousness in the Lives of Enslaved Black Women.”

Renowned Irish Modern Artist Rita Duffy Presents a Collection of Her Works

Ramiro Tovar • September 29, 2024

Rita Duffy reminded an audience of Boston College students, staff, and local visitors to always seek joy in life and live it to its full extent at an event hosted by the Lowell Humanities Series on Wednesday.

Spirituality, Humanity, and Purpose: Joy Harjo Shares Her Life Through Poetry

Mary Kozeny and Carina Murphy • February 22, 2024

Poetry transcends individual identity and serves as a vessel for greater meaning, according to Joy Harjo.

Hakakian Advocates for Muslim Women’s Rights in Iran

Jake Jansen • February 4, 2024

To understand the nature of the women’s rights movement in Iran, one need not look further than the movement’s slogan, “Women, Life, Liberty,” according to Roya Hakakian.

“Poverty, By America”: Desmond Dissects Increasing Financial Problems in the U.S.

Aidan Gravina • October 15, 2023

Matthew Desmond’s experiences growing up in poverty prompted him to take a stand as a poverty abolitionist. The Lowell Humanity Series hosted a lecture on Wednesday titled, “Poverty, By America.” Desmond, a Pulitzer Prize–winning author, said watching his family get evicted from their home motivated him to ask why the United States deals with poverty in the way it does.