Engage in Scholarly Discourse

Overview

Rising polarization and declining trust seem to undermine the very foundations of liberal democracy. How can the humanities—by prompting us to think outside the familiar categories that frame polarization—help us manage our partisan divisions and live up to our civic responsibilities?

The Institute for Humane Studies invites you to join a small group of faculty and graduate students for a seminar-style conversation led by philosopher Robert Talisse. We’ll explore the relationship between democracy and the humanities in depth.

While the conversation will be open-ended, please come prepared to discuss the Preface and Chapter 4 of Talisse’s newest book, Civic Solitude: Why Democracy Needs Distance (Oxford UP 2024). Chapter 4 addresses the need for civic solitude for—and the role of the humanities in— the enlargement of our democratic thinking. If you’d like to purchase the book, IHS will reimburse your expense. Please save your receipt.

This event takes place online on Friday, January 24, beginning with opening remarks at 12:00 PM and concluding at 1:30 PM Eastern Time. If you have research interests in this area, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity.

Discussion Leader

• Robert B. Talisse, Vanderbilt University

Schedule

*All times are listed in Eastern Time

Friday, January 24

11:45 AM | Room Opens

12:00 PM | Welcome and Introductions

12:30 PM | Discussion

1:25 PM | Closing Remarks

Overview

What shapes public attitudes toward immigration beyond the familiar economic and social arguments? With a rise in negative and harmful narratives being shared about immigration, it is important to unpack these narratives.

This program aims to explore these less visible drivers of immigration attitudes, examining how such narratives arise, spread, and influence opinions. By unpacking these factors, we aim to better understand the complex roots of public views on immigration and how they evolve in response to societal and cultural trends.

This program will begin with presentations from Tomás Jiménez, professor of sociology, and Claire Adida, professor of political science, followed by breakout sessions where participants can ask questions and network with each other.

Please come prepared to discuss your current research and share ideas for future academic research, public-facing work, or applied contributions.

This event will take place on February 4 from 4:30 to 6:00 PM Eastern Time, and will be hosted via Zoom. If you have research interests in this area, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity.

Speakers:

• Tomás Jiménez, Stanford University
• Claire Adida, University of California, San Diego

Overview

What are the real impacts of deportation policies, and how do they compare to their intended outcomes? As discussions around mass deportations intensify, it is important to understand the causes and consequences of deportation policies and their broader implications.

Through a robust interdisciplinary conversation, this program aims to explore the intended versus actual outcomes of deportation policies, examine the implications of potential future policy decisions, and consider their impact on future immigration research.

This program will begin with opening remarks from Michael Clemens, professor of economics, and Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, professor of government, followed by an open discussion where participants can ask questions and share ideas for future research.

This event will take place on February 20 from 4:30 to 6:00 PM Eastern Time, and will be hosted via Zoom. If you have research interests in this area, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity.

Speakers

• Michael Clemens, George Mason University
• Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, George Mason University

Overview

This research symposium aims to explore key questions about how Loper will impact various aspects of administrative law, including its enforcement in lower courts, administrative accountability, and the influence of public choice incentives on political behavior across government branches.

IHS is gathering scholars from the public choice and administrative law fields to explore new research ideas alongside practitioners who will directly engage with these issues in the courts.

Schedule:

1:15 PM | REGISTRATION WITH COFFEE 

1:45 PM | WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS 

2:00 PM | PANEL 1  

2:45 PM | WORKING GROUP 

3:15 PM | BREAK 

3:45 PM | PANEL 2 

4:30 PM | WORKING GROUP 

5:00 PM | CLOSING REMARKS  

5:15 PM | COCKTAIL HOUR

Overview

“AI Policy and Barriers to Innovation” will feature a conversation with Adam Thierer, senior fellow for the Technology & Innovation team at the R Street Institute and author of Permissionless Innovation: The Continuing Case for Comprehensive Technological Freedom, on the state of technology policy, the challenges of broad, top-down regulatory approaches, and the need for more targeted, sector-specific regulations.

Speakers:

•  Adam Thierer, R Street Institute

Schedule

*All times are listed in Eastern Time

12:00 PM | WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS

12:15 PM | SPEAKER PRESENTATION

1:00 PM | Q&A  

1:25 PM | CLOSING REMARKS

Overview

Today’s society is experiencing heightened polarization and animosity that is eroding trust in institutions and others. In light of this, developing effective bridging programs to mitigate partisan animosity is becoming increasingly difficult. IHS invites those who are interested in improving bridging programs—specifically those working in religious contexts—to join us on February 26 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM Eastern Time for a workshop on how to use insights from academic research to design effective bridging interventions.

Speakers will include Paul Lendway of Yale University, Trent Ollerenshaw of University of Houston, and Kristin Lunz Trujillo of University of South Carolina.

The program will begin with brief presentations from the speakers discussing best practices around design and implementation of bridging interventions. Participants will then have the opportunity to join the speakers for Q&A in breakout rooms to get practical, research-backed advice, discuss their organizations’ methodologies, and network with other practitioners.

Applicants from organizations that are actively engaged in religious bridging work will be given preference.

Speakers

• Paul Lendway, Yale University
• Trent Ollerenshaw, University of Houston
• Kristin Lunz Trujillo, University of South Carolina