Fall 2026 OLLI Digital Catalog

FICTION TO INFORM POLICY (K231)

K – Writing

Required text: WhiteGrass, Richard Smith, ISBN 978-1966074625. This discussion-based course uses the near-future climate technothriller WhiteGrass to explore how well-crafted fiction can shape public understanding, ethical debate and real-world policy choices on climate change and emerging technologies. Each week we pair short readings from the novel with accessible articles or reports, then examine how the narrative frames issues like AI, nanotechnology, risk, and inequality — and how those story choices might influence voters, policymakers and the media.

This offering meets for a total of 11 session(s).

INSTRUCTOR: Richard Smith

SMITH, RICHARD — M.S., science and technology studies, Virginia Tech 1998. I draw on my background as a futurist, author and nanotechnology entrepreneur to teach engaging, discussion-driven courses for adult learners. My novel, WhiteGrass, is about climate change, artificial intelligence and robots.

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