Peter Brunette studies works of an Oscar-nominated filmmaker.

Professor Peter Brunette will be closely watching the Academy Awards on Sunday; he has a new book out on Austrian director Michael Haneke, whose film “The White Ribbon” has been nominated for best foreign film. Communication Professor Mary Dalton on the Oscars.

The 8.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Chile on Feb. 28 was many times more powerful than the one that struck Haiti two months ago, but Professor Peter Siavelis says Chile’s strong government will help the country recover quickly.

Selenium pollution from mountaintop coal mining is causing permanent damage to the environment, Dennis Lemly, a research professor of biology, told U.S. Senators during a visit to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 23.

Counseling department chair Sam Gladding has been elected president of the American Association of State Counseling Boards. More faculty appointments, books and awards in this month’s Faculty Focus. Staff news and milestones in Staff News.

Television advertising is going the way of the dinosaur, says communication professor Ananda Mitra, who examines PepsiCo’s decision to forgo advertising on the Super Bowl in favor of online marketing.

Business leaders, leading researchers, entrepreneurs and scholars will discuss solutions for America’s growing energy problems during a two-day conference on campus next week.

Communication professor Allan Louden and Worrell Professor David Coates weigh in on the style and substance of President Obama’s State of the Union address. Junior Randy Paris interns at the White House. Professor Kathy Smith on Michelle Obama.

The latest public-arts project by Professor of Art and sculptor David Finn, “Sculptural Climbing Wall,” located at a park in Chapel Hill, was dedicated on Thursday.

A new car-sharing program, Zipcar, is now available for students and others to decrease the need for privately-owned cars on campus. Video: WFU students try to erase the waste, FOX 8. Video: Local college students zip around campus while going green, WMFY.

In recent years, the study of energy use and policy has become increasingly important.  As a key driver in our modern economy, energy is essential to everyday life.  As national and international debates about energy policy and the economy emerge, it is essential that key players engage one another with the goal of furthering public education and finding sustainable energy solutions.

The Wake Forest University Energizing the Future conference is designed to create such dialogue.  On February 10-11, innovative business leaders, leading researchers, and policy makers will discuss energy use and policy in their current and future forms.  The event will include a public lecture by New York Times columnist and author Thomas Friedman.

Other headline guests include James Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy, and Aubrey McClendon, CEO of Chesapeake Energy.  Together with a host of academic thinkers, innovative entrepreneurs, and a video appearance by Dr. Steven Chu, U.S. Energy Secretary, these guests will guide and frame our discussion.