Event: Sidore Series Centers on Sustainability
UNH Manchester invites you to the Sidore Lecture Series, a three-part discussion centering on environmental, food and social sustainability. This year's series is aligned with the College of Professional Studies’ Focus Forward: Sustainable Futures initiative, which focuses on the broad theme of sustainability and how we can create a more sustainable community and campus, supporting health, well-being and sustainability for all.
Since its establishment in 1965, the Saul O. Sidore Memorial Lecture Series has provided the University of New Hampshire community and the people of New Hampshire with opportunities to engage with critical and sometimes controversial issues facing our society. Named in memory of Saul O. Sidore of Manchester, New Hampshire, the series aims to raise awareness, provoke thoughtful discussions and offer insights into some of the most important challenges of our time.
The university's ongoing commitment to sustainability is reflected in its academic and research investments. UNH students participate in community-engaged projects that provide opportunities for the development of holistic, context-sensitive solutions to local and global challenges. In 2021, UNH proudly renewed its STARS platinum rating — the highest rating under the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)’s system. The university ranks fourth among U.S. public universities for sustainability. Additionally, in fall 2022, UNH celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Sustainability Institute, the oldest endowed, university-wide sustainability program in U.S. higher education.
The Sidore Series has become a highly anticipated event at UNH each year. Thanks to the generous support of the Saul O Sidore Memorial Foundation, the lectures are free and open to the public, making them an accessible way for community members to engage with experts from a variety of fields. All events will take place at UNH Manchester, 88 Commercial Street, Manchester NH. Free parking is available in the lots surrounding the building.
2025 Series of Events
Climate Crisis and Sustainability - Navigating Environmental Security and Resilience
Date & Time: Monday, February 10 | 5 – 6 p.m.
Location: UNH Manchester, 88 Commercial St., Room 201 (Multipurpose Room)
Directions and Parking Info
The first lecture of the 2025 series will tackle one of the most urgent and defining issues of our time: climate change. Dr. Terrence O’Sullivan, Associate Professor and Chair of the Security Studies Department at UNH College of Professional Studies, will present “Climate Crisis and Sustainability: Navigating Environmental Security and Resilience.” This lecture will explore the environmental security threats posed by climate change, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, heat waves, and ecosystem disruption. Dr. O’Sullivan will discuss the human and ecological impacts of these changes and the challenges to human health, food, and economic stability. He will also provide a cautiously optimistic outlook on our ability to adapt and reverse some of this damage.
Dr. O’Sullivan’s expertise spans a range of topics related to environmental security, global warming, and disaster resilience. His research and teaching focus on domestic and international security, pandemic disease, political violence, and other critical issues. His contributions to the field have made him a respected voice in the ongoing discussions surrounding climate change.
Sustainable Protein: The Case for Cultivated Meat
Date & Time: Tuesday, March 4 | 12 – 1:10 p.m.
Location: Online Only
The second session of the series will explore a groundbreaking approach to food production: cultivated meat. Dr. Elliot Swartz, a principal scientist at The Good Food Institute (GFI), will lead an online discussion about the environmental and ethical implications of this emerging industry. Cultivated meat involves producing real meat from animal cells without the need for slaughter, offering a potentially more sustainable solution to meat production.
Dr. Swartz will delve into the technical and economic challenges of the cultivated meat industry and explain how it could help address pressing issues like food security, sustainability, and animal welfare. He will also discuss the potential benefits of cultivated meat over conventional meat production, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption. Dr. Swartz’s work at GFI focuses on analyzing these challenges and opportunities, making this lecture an essential watch for anyone interested in the future of food and sustainability.
Dead to Me: Shucking Off Old Tropes in Favor of Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Funeral Practices
Date & Time: Monday, April 21 | 4 – 5 p.m.
Location: UNH Manchester, 88 Commercial St., Room 201 (Multipurpose Room)
Directions and Parking Info
The final lecture in the 2025 series will challenge our perceptions of death care and funeral practices. Lee Webster, Director for New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education, and Advocacy, will present “Dead to Me: Shucking Off Old Tropes in Favor of Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Funeral Practices.” Webster will discuss the growing concerns of funeral poverty and the environmental impact of traditional funeral practices, including cremation and vault manufacturing, which contribute to rising carbon emissions.
Webster will explore innovative and sustainable alternatives for death care, such as natural burial and home funerals, and offer solutions for making the funeral industry more socially and environmentally responsible. Drawing on her extensive work in the hospice, home funeral, and green burial movements, Webster will highlight how current death practices can be redesigned to leave a legacy of environmental stewardship while still honoring the needs of families and communities.
As a leader in the funeral reform movement, Webster is a passionate advocate for social justice, environmental sustainability, and accessible funeral options. Her work continues to inspire change in an industry that has long been overlooked in broader discussions about sustainability.
The Saul O. Sidore Memorial Lecture Series is more than just a collection of talks—it’s a platform for sparking important conversations and empowering the community to address critical issues with thought, compassion and innovation. Whether you’re concerned about climate change, curious about the future of food production or interested in rethinking death care, the 2025 series offers a diverse range of topics that will leave you with much to reflect on.
Don’t miss out—RSVP today and join us for these insightful and transformative sessions.