An Online Lecture by the Professor Rick Bonus from the University of Washington
December 5, 2025
On December 4, 2025, Professor Rick Bonus from the University of Washington delivered an online lecture for the audience of the International Scientific-Educational Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia (ISEC NAS RA).
The event was initiated and organized by ISEC's Foreign Affairs Department under the leadership of its Head, Ella Papikyan.
The meeting was conducted in an online format and coordinated from ISEC’s video-conference hall, where members of the ISEC administration and several faculty members were present to welcome the guest lecturer. Students, staff, and alumni joined the online session, which was specifically designed for them.
Professor Rick Bonus, representing the University of Washington’s Department of American Ethnic Studies and Asian American Studies, presented a lecture titled “The Connection Between Education and Identity.”
During his talk, the professor addressed the experiences of students in multicultural educational environments, the formation of identity, and challenges related to educational inclusion. He also shared the background of his project “Ocean in the School” and the ideas that became the foundation of his book and research.
The project is based on the university experiences of multicultural students, especially young people from Pacific Islander communities. It examines the challenges these students face—such as cultural invisibility, isolation, and a lack of support systems. In response, students created a collective platform called OCEAN, which has become a space for mutual support, cultural identity, and solidarity. The initiative encourages universities to foster more inclusive and supportive environments where every student feels seen and valued.
The lecture concluded with an active discussion. Participants explored the theme “Who Are the Most Vulnerable in Universities?”, selecting and justifying their answers from options proposed by Professor Bonus.
Professor Rick Bonus’s online lecture was successfully held, leaving a strong impression of gratitude and satisfaction, as well as a desire among participants to see more international online lectures at ISEC.
The organization of the lecture was supported by ISEC Public Relations and Career Department and the IT Department.
