Past Events
Mayors: The Frontline Workers for Democracy
Mattie Parker, Evan Smith, Levar M. Stoney
In the United States and across the world, mayors are taking on increased political importance as they combat complex governance challenges. How are mayoral decisions impacting those within and beyond their city limits?
The New Momentum to Make College Civic Learning Universal
Charles Ansell, Catherine Copeland, John Lane, Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Jeff Rosen, Janna Vice
A movement for universal civic learning is gaining both policy leadership and campus-level commitment across all sectors in postsecondary education. But can it prevail against a dominant narrative that sees higher education as “job-skills” only?
Big Tech’s Effect on Democracy
Alexis Ohanian, Deb Roy, Kara Swisher
Technological advances have drastically changed the political and cultural landscape. How will the rapid expansion of AI and the increased influence of social media shape American democracy going forward?
Toward a More Responsible and Effective Presidency (Day One)
William Antholis, Don Baer, Peter Baker, Laura Barrón-López, Bob Bauer, Joshua Bolten, Meena Bose, Valerie Smith Boyd, Robert Bruner, Stephen Burns , and more
Leading scholars, journalists, and key practitioners, drawn from both Republican and Democratic administrations, diagnose the problem with the American presidency on day one of this two-day discussion.
‘How To Disagree Better,’ with World Debate Champion Bo Seo
Bo Seo
Journalist, author, and two-time world debating champion Bo Seo leads a workshop on how to navigate disagreement constructively so that we can have enlightening and productive discussions.
Climate Change and Disproportionate Health Burdens
Ebony Hilton, Karen Johnston, Irène Mathieu, Matthew Meyer
Experts consider direct impacts of climate change on public health, and how communities, health care systems, and clinicians can adapt.
Democratization of Data: Local Data, Local Governance
Michele Claibourn, Daniel Fairley II, Misty Graves, Lee LeBoeuf, Sherica Jones-Lewis
Communities need locally relevant data to inform policymaking and to hold local governments accountable. How can the collaboratively produced Stepping Stones report about the community well-being of the Charlottesville area promote shared understanding across the country at a local level?
Voting Rights in an Inclusive America
Guy-Uriel Charles, Jennifer Lawless, Michael Morley, Spencer Overton, Bertrall Ross
Large election participation gaps remain in the United States based on race and gender. What is at the core of these challenges, and what are the best ways to respond?
Teaching the Art of Productive Engagement Across Difference
Jonathan Alger, Kourtney Bradshaw-Clay, Ronald A. Crutcher, Riley Davis, Rebecca Russo, Rachel L. Wahl
What is the impact on college students when they participate in structured dialogue across political differences? The featured speakers lead campus and national initiatives to make “bridge building,” “deliberative dialogue,” and “engagement with viewpoint diversity” a higher-education priority.
The Great Escape
Sarah Milov, Saket Soni
"The Great Escape" is a stunning book about 500 Indian workers who were held in forced labor camps then escaped, and the yearslong campaign for justice that followed. The book’s author, Saket Soni, discusses that labor fight.