Press Kit

Conference offered novel way to examine trauma and its effects on society

Los Angeles - Leading researchers and scientists studied the effects of trauma and the ways in which it shapes and is shaped by our culture and biology. They convened for a three-day symposium co-sponsored by the Brain Research and Neuropsychiatric Institutes at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the UCLA Anxiety Project, the UCLA Center for History, Culture, and Neuroscience, the UCLA Graduate Division, and The Foundation for Psychocultural Research (FPR).

"We have gathered leading scholars and researchers from across the nation to explore, discuss, debate, and analyze the concept of trauma from different disciplinary perspectives. Our purpose is to challenge the notion that any single approach is sufficient to understand the human response to traumatic events, such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001," said Robert Lemelson, Ph.D., president of The Foundation for Psychocultural Research.

Eight percent of the American population has experienced the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives. Whether it is the collective experience of September 11 or individual cases of abuse, violence or disaster, the profound effects of trauma may persist long after the events themselves.

Held in the Northwest Auditorium on the UCLA campus from December 13-15, 2002, the symposium included presentations from basic scientists, clinicians and clinical researchers, anthropologists, and historians as well as roundtable discussions designed to foster dialog about the ways in which our biology and culture interact to create illness.

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani presented a special keynote address entitled "Leadership in Difficult Times," on Thursday, December 12, at UCLA's Royce Hall, which was open to the public. In addition, Rosemary O'Keefe, a former commissioner in the New York City Mayor's Community Assistance Unit, and Richard Sheirer, former New York City Director of Emergency Management, shared their first-hand knowledge of dealing with the tragedy of September 11.

Background Information

• Conference Flyer (Adobe Acrobat PDF, 80K)
• Brochure with Speakers List (Adobe Acrobat PDF, 528K)
• More information about The Foundation for Psychocultural Research (Adobe Acrobat PDF, 1.1M)