Explore History with the Cold War Speaker Series from Diefenbunker
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1–2 hours per event
Fitness Level
No physical exertion required; suitable for all fitness levels
Overview
Delve into Cold War history this fall with the Diefenbunker’s free virtual speaker series, featuring expert talks on labor, military research, and more—right from home.
Cold War Speaker Series
Free virtual events this fall
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Join the Diefenbunker’s Cold War Speaker Series this fall for a captivating exploration of Cold War themes through expert presentations and engaging Q&A sessions. Each virtual event delves into unique topics, from labor dynamics to military research, offering fresh insights into this pivotal era. Advance registration is required.
Join us this fall for the Diefenbunker’s Cold War Speaker Series! In this series of free events, hear from experts on a variety of topics to bring you new perspectives on Cold War themes and events.
- Events are free to attend
- Events will take place virtually over Zoom
- Each event will have a presentation followed by a Q&A, for a total of approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
Advance registration is required. If you are interested in attending multiple events, please register for each one separately to receive the appropriate reminder emails and webinar links.
Thursday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m. ET Cold War Workers: Labour, Family, and Community in a Nuclear State
Speaker: Dr. Isabel Campbell
This talk presents stories and themes from the book Cold War Workers, edited by Dr. Isabel Campbell. Cold War Workers raises questions about the influence of settler-colonial masculine institutional values on those who laboured for the Cold War state and society. By comparing the experiences of different types of workers, families, and communities, this volume reveals how race, gender, and privilege affected people in varied and sometimes unexpected ways.
Learn more about the speaker here.
Thursday, October 16, at 7:00 p.m. ET Duty or Opportunity? Canadian Scientists and Military Research in the Early Cold War
Speaker: Dr. Matthew Wiseman
In this talk, historian Dr. Matthew Wiseman will discuss his recent book, Frontier Science, highlighting newly declassified records about the size and scope of military research and development in Canada during the early Cold War to investigate the militarization of the country’s professional scientific community.
Learn more about the speaker here.
Thursday, November 20, at 7:00 p.m. ET Canada, Africa, and the Cold War
Speaker: Dr. Kevin Spooner
Africa was a site of significant Cold War tensions, where political ideologies and the challenges associated with decolonization often collided. This talk examines Canada’s role, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, exploring the connections between race and the battle for allegiances between East and West. Canada’s peacekeeping legacy will be addressed.
Learn more about the speaker here.
Adventure Tips
Register Early
Advance registration is required to secure your spot for each virtual event.
Stable Internet Connection
Ensure a reliable internet connection for uninterrupted streaming during presentations.
Engage Actively
Prepare questions ahead of time to participate in the Q&A portion and deepen your understanding.
Explore Diefenbunker Online
Visit the Diefenbunker website to learn about the facility’s historical significance before attending.
Local Insights
Wildlife
History
The Diefenbunker was built in the early 1960s as an underground bunker designed to protect Canadian government officials during a potential nuclear attack.
Conservation
The Diefenbunker promotes educational sustainability by offering virtual programming that minimizes environmental impact compared to traditional events.
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Adventure Hotspots in Ottawa
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Computer or Tablet
To stream the virtual events with clear visuals and audio.
fall specific
Headphones or Speakers
For an immersive listening experience during presentations.
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Notebook or Digital Note App
To jot down key points and questions for the Q&A sessions.
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Stable Internet Connection
To maintain smooth streaming of live presentations without interruptions.
fall specific