KINGSTON, R.I. – August 21, 2012 – More than 150 experts from among the University of Rhode Island’s faculty, staff and administration are available to speak to community groups about a wide variety of subjects through the URI Speakers Bureau.

Speakers are available at no charge to address day or evening meetings on such diverse subjects as forensic science, climate change, identity theft, aquaculture, herbal health remedies, business and economic issues, environmental topics, local history and dozens of others – nearly 200 topics in all. A comprehensive list of topics can be viewed at www.uri.edu/news/speakers. Presentations can be tailored to meet the needs of the organization and usually are a combination of lecture, discussion and questions and answers.

“Almost every day I hear from a community group seeking a speaker for their weekly or monthly meeting, and they often tell me how difficult it is to find local experts who are willing and available to address them,” said Todd McLeish, the Speakers Bureau coordinator who works in the URI Department of Communications and Marketing. “They are always tremendously grateful that we have so many speakers available on such interesting topics.”

URI speakers make about 200 presentations a year to nearly 100 different community groups in Rhode Island, from church groups and retiree organizations to civic clubs, libraries and business and professional associations.

For more information or to schedule a speaker, contact McLeish at 401-874-7892 or tmcleish@uri.edu.