The University of Washington (UW) Bothell and McMenamins are launching a speaker series in which university faculty and other notables from the community share their expertise through entertaining, informal talks at the Anderson School complex in downtown Bothell.

Attendees will be able to learn about interesting topics and issues of the day while enjoying the hospitality of Haynes’ Hall. The talks are free, open to the public, all ages and are followed by a question-and-answer session.

“The University of Washington Bothell’s commitment to educating students and creating knowledge extends to sharing that knowledge with the community. We look forward to partnering with McMenamins for talks that are fun and full of information,” said Susan Jeffords, vice chancellor for academic affairs.

UW Bothell will be hold the series on the last Tuesday of each month. McMenamins Anderson School is centrally located at 18607 Bothell Way N.E.

“McMenamins is thrilled to expand its public programming to Bothell with new partner, University of Washington Bothell,” said Tim Hills, McMenamins historian. “We’ve learned that an engrossing presentation offered for free in an informal and comfortable setting — perhaps with a beer and burger — is a perfect combination and a great night out.”

The series starts at 7 p.m. on July 25, with Benjamin Gardner presenting, “To Travel or Not to Travel: The Possibilities and Perils of Ecotourism.” The talk is an introduction to the politics and economics of global travel through the lens of conservation, commercialization, local community rights and cultural history.

Gardner is an associate professor of global studies, cultural studies and environmental studies in the UW Bothell School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. He also serves as chair of the African studies program at the UW Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies.

Next up on Aug. 29, is Dan Jaffe, presenting “Planes, Trains and Mountain Tops: The Adventures of One Scientist and His Students Studying the Impacts of Humans on Planet Earth.”

Jaffe is chair of the physical sciences division in the UW Bothell School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics. Jaffe, who has conducted air pollution research around the globe, describes some of the discoveries from his journeys.

To learn more about the fall speakers, visit www.uwb.edu/advancement/speakers.