In 2026, the OSU Humanities Institute will launch Humanities on Tap, a monthly series of community presentations that brings the humanities to life across Columbus. Each gathering offers an easygoing space to explore big ideas, hear fresh perspectives and connect with others. Led by local experts and storytellers, these talks make learning engaging, approachable and fun—perfect for curious minds throughout our community.
All "Humanities on Tap" events are free and open to all.
First up is J. Rawls, hip hop musician, producer, DJ and assistant professor of hip hop at the OSU School of Music. His presentation examines the act of "crate digging," or the practice of searching through crates of old records to find obscure or rare vinyl for sampling or collecting. He outlines this practice as a ritual, a research method, and a way of knowing rooted in hip hop production. Centering the “hip hop producer’s ear,” it explores how producers listen emotionally, intuitively, and critically to uncover sounds that hold cultural memory. Through autoethnographic and practice-based research, crate digging is presented as both cultural preservation and creative innovation. Ultimately, it shows how sampling transforms history into new meaning, remixing the past to shape future expression.
Remaining events for the semester include:
Friday, February 27: Emma Todd, PhD student in the Department of History, will present a talk on the history of beer. Budd Dairy Hall, 7 pm.
Friday, March 27: Nicholas Booker, PhD student in musicology and ethnomusicology, will present "Pub Songs & Trivia: British and Irish Folk," a talk and singalong with trivia and more. Budd Dairy Hall, 7 pm.
Friday, April 17: Alex Sallade, associated faculty in the School of Music, will present "Immersive Sound in Video Games," examining audio techniques used by game designers to bring fantastical realms to life. LevelOne Barcade (130 Hutchinson Ave, Columbus, OH 43235), 7 pm.
Location & Parking
Budd Dairy Hall is located in Italian Village, 1086 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43201. Parking can be found in the adjacent parking lots and on the street (ColumbusPark meter parking). Several COTA bus routes serve Budd Dairy Food Hall near Ohio State, with routes 12, 2, 22, 4 and 5 passing nearby, offering convenient access from various parts of Columbus, especially the OSU campus area.