MCLL Spring Lecture Program
We offer a program of lectures both online and on campus, presented by MCLL members, other lifelong learning centers and faculty members who share their research on a variety of topics.听The fee is $10 per lecture, and does not include MCLL membership benefits.听
Spring Term Duration: April 17 - June 12, 2026
Spring Registration is now open.
馃挕听New!
MCLL On the Road brings signature lectures to Montreal's seniors鈥� residences, retirement clubs, and independent-living apartment buildings.
鈿狅笍听Important
To register for a lecture you'll need your 91涩漫 Athena login name and password, so keep them handy. If you forget or don't yet have them, get them now at the .
Useful Links
Useful Notes
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Maximum in-person attendance is 17听unless otherwise specified.
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Registration closes at midnight two days before the lecture date.听The Zoom link for online lectures will be sent to attendees the previous day.
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In case of technical problems, an emergency, or an illness, a听refund is available听through your Athena account until one day after the lecture.
馃搷Location听
All on-campus lectures take place on the second floor of
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MCLL Spring 2026 Lectures |
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YCLML 1008 Transformation via Personal Narratives
Time: Friday, May 22, 10:00 a.m.
Presenter: Robert Paris
Attendance: In person
The lecturer will present new knowledge of the brain focused on research that concludes that the majority of us are unaware of our authentic personal stories. The lecturer will demonstrate the power of storytelling by telling his own genuine narrative and guide the group to become comfortable telling their own genuine stories. The lecturer will then relate the power of personal storytelling to self-leadership and fulfilment.
YCLML 1009 Puccini鈥檚 La Boh猫me & Troubled Life
Time: Friday, May 22, 10:00 a.m.
Presenter: Sharon Harris
Attendance: Online
Step into the world of Giovanni Puccini鈥檚 La Boh猫me and the turbulent life behind its music. This lecture delves into the passion, heartbreak, and creative genius of Puccini, revealing how his loves, losses, and recurring personal struggles shaped his greatest works. Explore the inspiration behind his unforgettable melodies, the Parisian world of the opera, and discover why La Boh猫me remains one of the most moving and enduring achievements in the operatic repertoire.
YCLML 1010 Consciousness and Prehistoric Art (CANCELLED)
Time: Friday, May 22, 1:00 p.m.
Presenter: Raymond Stern
Attendance: Online
The breathtaking cave art from prehistoric times evokes awe. How did this major transition into becoming 鈥渉uman鈥� come about? What do these symbols and animal images reveal about the ancestral mind? How was this large-scale, universal art produced? What are the theories to explain the development of this phenomenon? The integration of art and rock combined with anthropological and neurological content was unique and gives insights into the human need to make art. This presentation will be image-driven.
YCLML 1011 Understanding Hearing Loss
Time: Friday, May 22, 1:00 p.m.
Presenter: Dale Bonnycastle and Debra Fisher
Attendance: In person
Hearing loss is common in people over 65, but it often develops slowly and can be hard to recognize. This talk will explain what hearing loss is, how it affects everyday life and communication, and why it is often misunderstood. We will also share practical information about available services, hearing devices, and simple strategies that can make communication easier.
YCLML 1012 Why Do Fish Have Lungs?
Time: Friday, May 29, 10:00 a.m.
Presenter: Eduardo Cabrera
Attendance: In person
Among evolution's most effective tools, "repurposing" (known as 鈥渆xaptation鈥�) is perhaps one of the most fascinating and counterintuitive. It challenges our natural perception of things, which might lead us to believe that, since every part of our body seems so efficient, nature originally designed it that way. But we would be wrong. Let's examine the origin of the lungs and other essential parts of our anatomy to discover how nature excels at the art of repurposing.
YCLML 1013 AI Support for Retired Learners
Time: Friday, May 29, 10:00 a.m.
Presenter: Romano DeSantis and Giovanna DeSantis
Attendance: Online
Drawing on the experience gained from moderating several study groups concerning AI (artificial intelligence) 鈥� Introduction to Digital Art, From Creative Writing to Visual Art and Back, How Can AI Chatbots Help Lifelong Learners?, and Creative and Mundane Writing with AI Chatbots 鈥� this lecture will present concrete examples of how AI tools can support and enrich the learning experience of retired adults.
YCLML 1014 Justinian and Theodora
Time: Friday, May 29, 1:00 p.m.
Presenter: John Felvinci
Attendance: Online
This lecture follows the unusual lives of the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian (482-565) and his wife Theodora (490/500-548). Their rise from poverty to great power is exceptional. We will describe Justinian鈥檚 achievement in reconstituting the Roman Empire, his building program, his legal code and the plague which occurred during his reign. Some of the sources used include the controversial three books by Procopius, their contemporary.
YCLML 1015 [AI]tuning Into the Current State
Time: Friday, June 5, 10:00 a.m.
Presenter: Michael Moore
Attendance: Online
1995: In my initial involvement, I used artificial intelligence (AI) in simulations and in 3D spatial 鈥渨alkthroughs鈥�. Fast forward to 2025: I probed and practised the constructive use of AI in writing research; at the same time, as an educator, I was concerned about AI confusion. This lecture will provide a comparative review of state-of-the-art of current AI delivery vehicles and provide an update of what might come next. I will present visual examples of a variety of AI applications and challenges.
YCLML 1016 The Bayeux Tapestry - Survival!
Time: Friday, June 5, 1:00 p.m.
Presenter: Alana Gowdy
Attendance: Online
Created after the 1066 Battle of Hastings, the Bayeux Tapestry has survived nearly a thousand years, enduring war, political upheaval, and the many hazards of history. This remarkable artifact remains one of our greatest cultural treasures. In 2026, it will once again draw international attention when France lends it to the British Museum 鈥� its first return to England since the 11th century. Join us to explore the tapestry鈥檚 extraordinary survival and the long, improbable journey that brought it to the present day.
YCMS 1017 The Genesis Paradox
Time: Friday, June 5, 1:00 p.m.
Presenter: Jean-Denis Gingras and Philip Ehrensaft
Attendance: Online
The Genesis Paradox consists of balancing the immense promise of the biotech revolution with existential risks. Biotech simultaneously creates something wonderful but also inherent contradictions and dangers. Plus, biotech is inherently dual use: civilian benefits, and high impact military applications.
YCLML 1018 Years from Hell: Montreal 1848-1853
Time: Friday, June 12, 10:00 a.m.
Presenter: Robert N. Wilkins
Attendance: In person
From the burning of the Canadian Parliament Buildings in Youville Square, to the ominous threat of annexation to the USA, to the violent municipal election madness of 1851, to the Great Fire of July 1852 that lamentably destroyed nearly a quarter of the town, to the bloody Gavazzi Riot of 1853, this five-year period dramatically pushed Montreal to the breaking point. Not to be missed!!
