Global Appalachian Reading Group
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 4217 Posvar Hall and Zoom
Theme: Spaces in Appalachia
The Global Appalachian Reading Group for Spring 2026 examines the complex intersections of regional identity, connectedness and disconnectedness to lived spaces, and environmental justice as they pertain to Appalachia and its connections to the wider world. Through thoughtful engagement with The Appalachian Trail by Philip D'Anieri, No Last Place to Rest by Dineo Skosana, and Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, participants will explore the spaces that comprise and define Appalachia, reflect on the theme of dispossession within the context of Appalachia, and discuss global climate change through displaced species that find a home in Appalachia. This reading group invites participants to connect local narratives with global contexts, fostering deeper understanding and critical conversations about place, space, identity, sustainability, and the future of Appalachian communities.
Dates & Books:
- Session 1, January 21, 2026: The Appalachian Trail: A Biography by Philip D’Anieri
- Session 2, February 18, 2026: No Last Place to Rest: Coal Mining and Dispossession in South Africa by Dineo Skosana
- Session 3, April 1,2026: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
Copies of the books will be available in the Global Studies Center for local registrants to pick up. Participation in all three events in the series is not required but encouraged. Please contact Veronica Dristas with questions.
Sponsored by: Global Studies Center; Institute of Spatial History Innovation; School of Public and International Affairs
