Virtual Faculty Lightning Lounge Feb. 18 Spotlights UNM Branch Campuses

Research at UNM’s branch campuses in Gallup, Los Alamos, Taos and Valencia will be in the spotlight during a virtual Faculty Lightning Lounge scheduled for Feb. 18 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Office of the Provost announced the event as an opportunity to learn more about “impactful research” outside Albuquerque, with short faculty presentations and time for audience questions.

The Lightning Lounge is a recurring format offered several times each semester and is hosted collaboratively by Advance at UNM, the Office of Academic Affairs, the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Office of the Vice President for Research. Organizers invite all members of the UNM community to attend and state that no RSVP is required. Access is virtual for this session, with the posted Zoom meeting ID 913 9166 0227 and passcode LL2026 for remote attendees.

One confirmed presentation appears in campus listings: LANDSCAPES, TREES, AND. SENSES OF PLACE IN 20TH-. CENTURY AMERICAN POETRY, presented by Christopher Dyer, Professor, Anthropology. That entry is drawn from a Gallup campus posting and represents at least part of the program that will showcase research ranging from landscapes to health sciences across the branch campuses.

The UNM posting that announced the event repeats the phrase This month's event will feature the following faculty: but the copy reviewed did not include the full list of speakers. Newsroom text also includes the line that “light refreshments will be served,” which creates a clear inconsistency with the statement that the presentation will be virtual. Reporters recommend organizers clarify whether the Feb. 18 session is fully virtual, hybrid, or if the refreshments wording is residual boilerplate from in-person events.

For Valencia County residents and UNM–Valencia students, faculty and staff, the Lightning Lounge is a concise way to hear about local research without travel. Topics tied to landscape and health sciences can have direct relevance to land use, public health planning and cultural programs across Valencia County. The one confirmed talk by Christopher Dyer signals humanities work tied to place and environment; additional featured talks could include applied research with immediate local policy or community benefits.

The event also ties into broader campus professional development: related items noted alongside the announcement include registration for the 2026 UNM Spring Teaching Conference, underscoring the university’s semester programming for teaching and research engagement.

Readers who want to attend should plan for the virtual hour on Feb. 18 at 3:30 p.m., using Meeting ID 913 9166 0227 and Passcode LL2026. Local reporters will follow up to obtain the full roster of featured faculty and to confirm whether refreshments or any in-person component will be available for this session.