Prior Deeper Conversations Programming 

Bridging the Divide: Understanding and Addressing Political Polarization in America

On September 11, this panel, featuring professors Kevin Zollman, Jonathan Cervas, and Karina Schumann and moderated by Dean Richard Scheines, delved into the structural forces driving this polarization and explore potential solutions. 

WATCH BRIDGING THE DIVIDE

Immigration at the Ballot Box: Key Issue for 2024

As part of Heinz’s Trillion Dollar Question series, this virtual panel explores the complexities of immigration, including its impact on the economy and communities, and its significance in the upcoming election. The panel features professors Brian Kovak, Filiz Garip, and Sabi Ardalan and is moderated by journalist Hamed Aleaziz from The New York Times.

WATCH IMMIGRATION AT THE BALLOT BOX

Cyber-Enabled Nation-State Influence Operations: Are Russia, China and Iran Interfering in the U.S. Election?

This session examines recent evidence of nation-state interference in U.S. elections and discusses strategies to protect our democratic process from these threats. Panelists include Bret Schafer, Bryan Prior, and Darren Linvill and is moderated by CMIST Director Audrey Kurth Cronin.

WATCH CYBER-ENABLED NATION-STATE INFLUENCE OPERATIONS

America and the World: What's Ahead After the 2024 Election?

President Farnam Jahanian was joined by David Ignatius, Washington Post Foreign Affairs Columnist, to discuss the state of U.S. democracy following the November election. 

WATCH AMERICA AND THE WORLD

History of the Role of Government: Expansions, Reductions and Shaping the Nation

This panel explored the historical evolution of government’s role in American life, tracing its origins in the founding principle of limited government to the New Deal’s expansion of federal authority and the Great Society programs to the current calls for government reduction. The discussion provided historical context to help attendees better understand contemporary debates about the role of government in society.

America's Role in the World

Panelists explored the United States’ historical and contemporary role in international affairs by examining past successes and missteps, the value of U.S. diplomacy in a rapidly changing world, and the future of U.S. leadership in global affairs.

The Federal Government and Knowledge Production: Balancing Innovation, Policy and Public Good

This panel will explore the federal government’s role in funding, shaping and disseminating knowledge across various sectors. It will highlight how federally sponsored research, health and medical centers and regulatory frameworks contribute to scientific advancements and public well-being. Panelists will focus on the mechanisms, benefits and challenges of federal involvement in knowledge production, translation and dissemination.

Misinformation in Times of Conflict

On April 1, Zeve Sanderson, executive director of New York University's Center for Social Media and Politics, led a discussion and Q&A session on the role of social media in the Israel-Hamas war. Participants explored which sources of information have been reliable and how misinformation has impacted the conflict.

Watch Misinformation in Times of Conflict

Organized by the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

Competing Narratives: Small Group Book Discussions

In March, several groups of students, faculty and staff met to discuss Neil Caplan’s book “The Israel-Palestine Conflict: Contested Histories” (Second Edition). 

Organized by the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

Addressing Campus Islamophobia: Proactive Efforts to Address Hate and Bias, a Workshop with Amer F. Ahmed

On February 19, 2023, Amer F. Ahmed, vice provost for diversity, equity and inclusion and senior diversity officer at the University of Vermont, delivered a keynote benefiting participants interested in learning more about Islam, Islamophobia and anti-Arab notions, providing needed context to bridge divides.

Organized by the Office of the Vice Provost for Community, Culture and Engagement.

Islamophobia: Dispelling Myths to Break Down Barriers with Keynote Speaker Amer F. Ahmed

This program held on February 19, 2023, benefited participants interested in learning more about Islam and Islamophobia, providing needed context to bridge divide.

Watch Islamophobia: Dispelling Myths to Break Down Barriers

Organized by the Office of the Vice Provost for Community, Culture and Engagement.

Mapping the History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

On February 15, 2024, Laurie Z. Eisenberg, teaching professor emerita in CMU's Department of History, provided an overview of the history of the movement of borders and populations in the region that is now Israel and Palestine from the 1880s until the present day. Using maps, she addressed issues leading up to the current Israel-Hamas war.

Organized by the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

Antiracism in Action Workshop

On February 13, 2024, Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant and Mark D’Angelo held an interactive workshop exploring what it means to be antiracist. They focused on concepts, skills and strategies to help translate antiracist beliefs and sentiments into action-oriented antiracist allyship within spheres of influence.

Organized by the Office of the Vice Provost for Community, Culture and Engagement.

The Possibility of Peace

On January 31, 2024 — moderated by Nevine Abraham, assistant teaching professor of Arabic Studies in the Department of Modern Languages, and Michal Friedman, Jack Buncher Professor of Jewish Studies in the Department of History — Rula Hardal and May Pundak shared their experiences as Palestinian and Jewish members of A Land for All, an organization advocating for peaceful resolution in the region.

Understanding Antisemitism and its Impact on Jews

On January 30 and 31, 2024, Noah Schoen, Community Outreach Associate, Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, discussed the historical roots of antisemitism, the connection those roots have to its modern day manifestations, and the collective impact that generations of antisemitism has had on the Jewish community.

Organized by the Office of the Vice Provost for Community, Culture and Engagement.

Educating & Empowering Communities Against Antisemitism

This event featured a thought-provoking and compelling presentation by Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, who shared reflections on his experience as a survivor of the synagogue hostage crisis at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas in January 2022. Honoring the lives lost due to hatred, Rabbi Cytron-Walker provided insights on combating antisemitism through education and empowerment. We explored actionable strategies for creating a more inclusive and unified society and discovered how we can take on the collective responsibility of eradicating hate and prejudice, paving the way for a brighter and more harmonious future for all.