25 Years Later: Remembering 9/11 Through Science, Media and Memory

For this special 25th anniversary episode, we reflect on the lasting impact of September 11, 2001, through the perspectives of forensic science, journalism and collective memory.Host Dr. Debbie Goh, associate professor of English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages at PennWest and a former journalist, is joined by Dr. Lenore Barbian, director of the PennWest Honors Program and nationally recognized forensic anthropologist. In the days following the attacks, Dr. Barbian was deployed to Somerset County to assist with the identification of victims from United Airlines Flight 93, giving her a firsthand look at the forensic response to one of the most significant events in American history.Together, they explore the challenges of disaster victim identification, the human stories behind the forensic work, and how 9/11 changed journalism, public discourse and the way Americans understand and remember major events. This thoughtful conversation examines the intersection of science, media and memory, and the enduring legacy of a day that continues to shape our world 25 years later.