The 24th Annual Spencer Lecture

This morning, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and special guests gathered at the Upper School for the 24th Annual Spencer Lecture. University School thanks Flannery Becker for presenting her lecture, "Blind Spots in Plain Sight - How Hidden Biases Become Intelligence Failures." 

Ms. Becker related how human biases not only close individuals off from learning more fully about each other, but also, historically, how these same biases have contributed to intelligence failures. She shared personal stories of her time living and studying throughout the Middle East, and how those experiences have informed the perspective she carries in her life and work as a Middle East Analyst today. 

She encouraged students to be more aware of their own blind spots and biases and to get out and travel and have new experiences, one of the best ways to overcome biases. She said, "Be a participant, not a tourist." Ms. Becker offered ideas for many summer and spring break programs abroad that students could explore. US thanks Ms. Becker for being so thoughtful, dynamic, and open in her presentation and for answering questions from students and faculty at the conclusion. 

 

Flannery Becker is a career Middle East expert, specializing in governance and social issues. She graduated from Princeton in 2009 with a BA in Near Eastern Studies, and in 2015 from the University of London with a MA in Iranian Studies. She was a Fulbright Scholar in Amman, Jordan, from 2009 - 2011, where she researched Islamic law. She has lived and studied throughout the Middle East, including in Jordan, Syria, and Iran. She speaks Arabic, Farsi, and French. Flannery currently lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, US alumnus Ryan Seelbach '99, and their two boys. She currently works as a Middle East Analyst.

The George E. Spencer III Lecture Series honors the life of US alumnus George “Twig” Spencer III ’69. It was founded by his family, classmates, and friends to pay tribute to his caring and adventurous spirit while enhancing awareness and knowledge of international relations, tolerance, and understanding. Twig is the only known US alumnus to lose his life in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.