Campus briefs for Feb. 3, 2010

Speeches to focus on games, zombies and technology

The keynote speakers for this year’s CHAT Festival will feature the Microsoft executive behind the Xbox, a video game theorist and an author whose novels blend zombies with Jane Austen.

The festival, held Feb. 16 to 20, will also include performances, interactive exhibits and workshops.

On Feb. 16, UNC alumnus and Microsoft Corp.’s President of Entertainment and Devices Robert Bach will discuss technology’s role in facilitating collaboration and show some of Microsoft’s upcoming products. He will also advise students on the skills necessary to succeed in today’s business world.

Steve Hockensmith and Jason Rekulak will discuss collaborative authorship. Hockensmith is known for his mash-up style. He has combined elements of the Western genre with Sherlock Holmes. He also authored the upcoming mash-up prequel, “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls.”

Rekulak, the associate publisher and creative director at Quirk Books, will talk about his role in publishing Hockensmith’s book, which is a prequel to “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. With Quirk, Rekulak conceived, acquired and edited that book.

Michael Wesch, a cultural anthropologist from Kansas State University, will discuss the effects of new media on society and culture.

Video game theorist Jesper Juul, who currently works as a visiting professor at New York University’s Game Center, will discuss his research.

Real Food Challenge hosts conference on food activism

More than 150 young food activists converged on Chapel Hill from Friday to Sunday for the Southeast Youth Food Activist Summit.

Young activists and students from several southeastern states learned about sustainable food issues, becoming involved in activist and leadership training and building a movement for sustainable food.

The weekend event included educational seminars, panel discussions led by professionals, activist workshops and community dinners.

The event was hosted on the UNC campus by Real Food Challenge, a national student campaign for food that is ethically produced and sustainable.