“[Just] because things is legal, it don’t make them right”

The following piece, by Julie Shepherd-Powell, won first place at the 2010 UK Appalachian Research Symposium. She interviews Pete Ramey about the struggle to stop construction of a Dominion Resources 585 mega-watt coal fired power plant in Wise County.

Appalachian Research @ UK>> University of Kentucky researchers from over 40 departments in virtually every disipline are dedicating time to studying Appalachia.

Engaging College Students>> The Appalachian IDEAS Network is an initiative designed to equip Appalachian students with knowledge, skills and resources to develop entrepreneurial ventures...

Friday June 11: Fighting for a Voice

Tiplut Nongbri will be presenting a talk on matriliny, gender and the state in the Hill Society of North-East India. She will show a short video on the struggle of the women's movement in Meghalaya against the state's undemocratic practices and denial of rights to women to participate in policy formulation.  The talk that follows will shed light on the wide gap that exists between the rhetoric on women's empowerment professed by the state and the reality of their existence.

Award-Winning IDEAS

Two teams from Berea College took home prizes at the recent Appalachian IDEAS Network social entrepreneurship competition hosted by the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center.   The Appalachian IDEAS competition provides the opportunity for students to learn about social entrepreneurship and to create innovative ventures that address unmet needs in Appalachian communities.

Herbert Reid: A celebration of his career

The Appalachian Studies Program will be celebrating the career of Herbert Reid on March 25, with the day’s events consisting of an afternoon panel discussion with Reid’s colleagues and an evening celebration of Reid’s accomplishments, including the publishing of his newest book, Recovering the Commons: Democracy, Place, and Global Justice, co-authored by Betsy Taylor.

Features

Documentary Explores Issues Surrounding Kentucky Coal

LEXINGTON, KY. -- (wuky) - The issues and perspectives surrounding coal mining are numerous and complex. A new film debuting this week hopes to educate viewers about Kentucky's primary source of energy.

Producer Julie Martinez says the film, simply titled "Coal in Kentucky," isn't about taking sides.

Directors Corner: Spring 2010

Consider how many e-mails arrive in your inbox everyday that have some sort of quote or slogan at the bottom.  One of my personal favorites is the old saw from Margaret Mead—“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”