Carol Parish, a University of Richmond chemistry professor, will receive an award from the American Chemical Society at its upcoming South Eastern regional meeting in Richmond for promoting diversity in the chemical sciences.

Carolyn Forché, award-winning poet and human rights activist for more than 30 years, will read at the University of Richmond Oct. 13, 7 p.m., as part of the annual English Department Writers Series.

A Federal Reserve governor, one of Fortune Magazine’s “50 most powerful people,” and the CEO of McCartney Music and Multimedia Inc. are among the speakers for the 2011-12 Robins Executive Speaker Series at the University of Richmond.

Sandra Moran, activist and member of the Guatemala Human Rights Commission, will speak on “Women’s Right to Live: Women Confronting Violence in Guatemala” Oct. 24, 7 p.m., at University of Richmond’s Carole Weinstein International Center. 

Stephen Breyer, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, will speak at the University of Richmond School of Law at a ceremony to dedicate the school’s moot courtroom in memory of the Hon. Robert R. Merhige Jr. The event will be held Oct. 6, 4 p.m., and is by invitation only.

The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities has awarded a $5,000 grant to Laura Browder, professor of American Studies at the University of Richmond, to support work on a documentary, “Mothers at War.”

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service has awarded an $84,962 grant to Todd Lookingbill, assistant professor of geography and biology at the University of Richmond. Lookingbill will use the award to conduct scientific research related to natural resource monitoring and inventory activities at Petersburg National Battlefield and Booker T. Washington National Monument, two sites administered by the park system.

Gary Noesner, former FBI chief negotiator, will discuss “Calm, Creative Communications in Crisis” Oct. 6, 4:30 p.m., at University of Richmond’s Jepson Hall, Room 120.

Human rights struggles, including the present-day slavery of 27 million people worldwide, violence against women and economic justice, are topics to be covered by the 2011-12 WILL/WGSS Speaker Series.>/preview>

A former FBI hostage negotiator, an African property rights specialist and a Civil War historian are among the speakers for the 2011-12 Marshall Center Lecture Series.