This fall, Emory College’s Center for the Study of Human Health will host online talks with authors whose recent books draw on research as varied as the ecology of the indoors and lessons to be learned from animal penises.

CSHH Senior Fellow Maryn McKenna, a veteran science journalist and bestselling author, will conduct the interviews for the Health and the Human Experience series, which kicks off Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m. with author Debora MacKenzie.

MacKenzie’s book, “COVID-19: The Pandemic that Never Should Have Happened and How to Stop the Next One,” written in lockdown, offers a timely discussion about the warning signs of the coronavirus pandemic – and a possible path forward.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for authors to tour with excellent new books,” McKenna says. “This series will give the Emory community, and the loyal following of the Georgia Center for the Book, exclusive experiences with authors that they could get in no other way.”

McKenna joined CSHH last year, adding her expertise in health narrative and storytelling to the unique program that integrates the College’s liberal arts focus with the renowned research Emory is known for across the health sciences.

The Author Q&A series, which is co-sponsored by the Georgia Center for the Book, is among courses and workshops she has developed on health and science communication.

The series continues Oct.  22, with an interview with Emily Anthes, whose book, “The Great Indoors: The Surprising Science of How Buildings Shape Our Behavior, Health, and Happiness,” examines how building design can shape our behavior.

The final interview is McKenna’s Nov. 12 session with Emily Willingham, author of “PHALLACY: Life Lessons from the Animal Penis,” a scientific look at the sexual balance of power.

For more information on the authors and their works, or to register for any of the events, please visit here.