Since 2011, the “Scholars in Studio” video series has allowed alumnae, prospective students and other interested parties to electronically access the intellectual life of Smith College, with Smith professors speaking on thought-provoking subjects related to their teachings, research and academic interests.

The “TED Talks”-style video shorts feature a diverse range of subjects such as art, architecture and engineering. A new video is posted every month. The series not only aims to showcase the diverse and vibrant community of scholars at Smith, but also offers a glimpse at what Smith students enjoy every day.

The idea for the project came about when alumnae began to express to President Carol Christ their desire for a more visible and accessible Smith faculty.

“There have been requests to see more of the faculty and the subjects they teach,” said Associate Director for New Media Jeffrey Baker.

Baker, along with Vice President for Public Affairs Laurie Fenlason, Director of Campaign Communications Lars Asbornsen, Associate Director of the Alumnae Association Cheryl Dellecese and Judith Roberge, Assistant Director at Smith College, produced the series.

This request also meant a change in how the college and alumnae communicate with each other. When the Smith Alumnae Association sent out a survey to more than 2,000 alumnae, respondents expected the college to communicate with them in multiple ways – via print mailings, e-mail, Facebook, podcasts and videos of campus life and traditions. As a result, the series takes advantage of new technology such as Facebook, iTunes U and YouTube.

Rather than having the professors read from a scholarly paper or go over intense research, the professors are encouraged to speak on their interests and passions.

“The professors work from an outline but do not have a script or teleprompter to work from in the studio,” Baker said. “So it is amazing to see each of them talk about the subjects related to their teaching so easily and eloquently.”

Nine videos have already been published, including content from Afro-American Studies professor Kevin Quashie and engineering professor Donna Riley. The videos are typically five to seven minutes long.

In one of the more recent videos, senior art lecturer John Gibson discussed seeing, thinking and drawing in the context of analyzing Pablo Picasso’s Table, Guitar, and Bottle, one of his favorite pieces at the Smith College Museum of Art. He moved from explaining how people perceive differences between objects toward teaching a strategy of recognizing commonalities. In his short presentation, Gibson also touched on the science of perception and composition.

The videos have garnered positive reactions, especially from alumnae; most recall memories of Smith when reacting to the series. On the “Scholars in Studio” Web site, responding to Gibson’s video, one alumna who had taken Drawing I with him wrote, “So cool to see him still there and ever passionate about art.”