The panel includes Paul Slovic, UO professor of psychology and a leading researcher on decision-making during times of genocide and mass atrocity.

TEDx programs started in the mid 1980s to explore technology, entertainment and design, and TEDx Portland started in 2011. The UO is this year's presenting sponsor.

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden will receive the 14th annual Frohnmayer Award for Public Service at a reception following the symposium. Both events are in Portland.

This is the first year that any Oregon university has hosted the regional conference, which has been held annually since 1966.

The program will relocate its master’s degree program from the Eugene campus to the UO in Portland beginning fall term 2016.