March 10, 2025

James Briggs, professor of psychology at Susquehanna University, will present the lecture Are memories really forgotten?, at 4:15 p.m. Thursday, March 27, in Isaacs Auditorium in Seibert Hall.

The event is free and open to the public.

Briggs’ lecture explores retrograde amnesia, which occurs when a person is unable to remember things from before a brain injury or illness. Traditionally, scientists thought this happened because memories weren’t properly stored or stabilized; however, this idea doesn’t explain why some forgotten memories can be recovered with the right cues.

Briggs will discuss new research challenging the old theory, suggesting that the memories aren’t lost — just temporarily inaccessible.

Recipient of Susquehanna’s John C. Horn Award for Distinguished Scholarship and Creative Activity, Briggs’ scholarly interests in the environmental and neurobiological underpinnings of memory formation, memory retention and amnesia have resulted in several publications — including eight with undergraduate student co-authors.

Briggs earned his bachelor’s degree from West Liberty State College before going on to earn his master’s degree and doctorate from Kent State University.

The John C. Horn Award for Distinguished Scholarship and Creative Activity memorializes a former long-time member and chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the university. The award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding scholarship and conscientious service to the university, who is asked to present a public lecture in the following academic year.