Rebuilding Democracy Lecture Series

Democracy can trace its roots back to the Greek and Roman times. When the United States was founded, democracy was considered an experiment. While it has evolved as the nation matured, democracy has been tested in recent years. Now, the nation is at a crossroads with new leadership—how to rebuild democracy while addressing inequities in our society that leave many feeling disenfranchised.

The Rebuilding Democracy Lecture Series showcases how the liberal arts and sciences are at the center of a healthy democracy. The series addresses various aspects of building a stronger democracy and bringing together a fractured society – everything from restoring civility, exploring branches of government, rebuilding our diplomatic and intelligence offices, as well as topical issues such as education, healthcare, media, public health, budget and finance, sustainability/environmental issues, and social justice/human rights.

Guiding Principles

• We are committed to a broad exploration of what democracy means and the issues impacting it.
• We want to showcase the role of the liberal arts and sciences in a healthy democracy, including the sciences, natural and social sciences, and interdisciplinary approaches to democratic values and institutions.
• We are firmly committed to including diverse voices and opinions.
• Social justice and human rights are important components of rebuilding democracy.
• We are committed to keeping this program free and accessible, as it adds value to broad segments of our community and encourages greater engagement with democratic traditions.

2025-2026 Speakers

September 23, 2025

Steve Inskeep
Host, Morning Edition and Up First
National Public Radio

November 12, 2025

John Curran
Illinois Senate minority leader

February 4, 2026

Tara Setmayer
CNN political commentator
Senior advisor for the Lincoln Project
Former GOP communications director