Academics
Brown Symposium
The Brown Symposium is a biennial event funded through an endowment established by The Brown Foundation, Inc., of Houston, Texas, for professorships at the University.
The symposia are designed to enhance the effectiveness of the work for which the endowed professorships were established. Each symposium presents topics in one of the broad areas of study represented by the chairholder.
Active Culture
February 22-23, 2027
What shapes the way we move?
Movement is more than just physical activity. It’s shaped by our culture, communities, environments, and the opportunities available to us.
Join Southwestern University for the 2027 Brown Symposium, Active Culture, as we explore the cultural and societal influences on how, why, and whether we move. Through engaging presentations and thought-provoking discussions, experts from a variety of disciplines will examine the factors that shape physical activity, the barriers that limit participation, and the ways we can create more inclusive opportunities for movement.
Discover how culture, community, and society shape the way we move—and why it matters.
This event is free and open to the public.
Scott McLean
Chief Academic Officer & Dean of the Faculty, Professor of Kinesiology
Holder of the Lillian Nelson Pratt Chair in Science
Valerie Renegar
Professor of Communication Studies
Holder of the Herman Brown Chair