Nothing says romance like the study of bonobos.
For this species of great ape, sex isn’t just about reproduction. On Wednesday night, Dr. Frances White will discuss how bonobos use sex as a greeting as well as a way to bond, play and resolve conflicts. White’s lecture will be at Luna on 30 E. Broadway at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
White is a primatologist and a professor in the University’s anthropology department. She has studied the bonobos of the Lomako Forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Her talk is part of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry-organized Science Pub program.
Science Pub, an informal lecture series hosted by a variety of scientists and researchers, began in Portland in August 2006 and has had an outlet in Eugene since June 2006.
“They came seeking to expand their program,” said Sara Mason, the University’s associate development officer in natural sciences. “We have a lot of talented scientists in our backyard.”
“So far it’s gone incredibly well,” said Amanda Thomas, coordinator of adult learning programs at OMSI.
“It’s about finding ways to engage people in the community and let them know what’s going on (at OMSI),” she said.
For the University, Science Pub is also a way to let people know about different professors’ research.
“A lot of people are unaware of the work the science faculty is doing,” said Mason.
Thomas and Mason originally planned for White’s talk to take place on Valentine’s Day.
“Bonobos are well-known for being ‘make love not war’ proponents,” Thomas said. “We thought it would be a kind of charming way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.”
In the end, though, they decided to hold the talk on Wednesday because of Luna’s busy Feb. 14 schedule.
The event is free and open to all people of all ages. However, the lecture is intended for an adult audience.
“I’m trying to get away from people bringing their 6-year-old kids,” Thomas said.