About ULS
Drawing from the originality and insight of Randy Pausch and his “Last Lecture,” the University Lecture Series (ULS) contributes to the life of the mind on campus by bringing scholars, professionals and thought leaders with cross-disciplinary appeal to share their experiences, research, and knowledge.
By providing a forum to address timely ideas and issues spanning the arts, sciences, technology, business, the humanities and policy, the ULS aims to enhance the pillars of human-centered education at CMU.
"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer."
— Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture
Featured Lectures
The University Lecture Series invites two academically based and research focused featured speakers based on a community nomination process. Recent past featured speakers have included political theorist Teresa M. Bejan speaking on free speech and tolerance; president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Patrick Harker discussing the changing financial landscape due to AI and fintech; CEO of Global Refuge Krish O’Mara Vignarajah examining the intersections of climate change and migration; and legal scholar and ethicist Nita Farahany discussing the future of AI programs and neurotechnology.
ULS Partner Lectures
In addition to stand-alone lectures, the ULS is proud to work in partnership with the following lectures:
Dickson Prize Lecture
Awarded annually since 1970, Carnegie Mellon University’s Dickson Prize in Science recognizes substantial achievements or sustained progress in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering, computer science or mathematics.
The Carl & Amy Jones Lecture in Interdisciplinary Science
Carl (MCS 1956) and Amy Jones established the Carl & Amy Jones Endowed Interdisciplinary Fund at Carnegie Mellon University to support interdisciplinary study at the university. The fund supports a number of efforts at the university including The Carl & Amy Jones Lecture in Interdisciplinary Science. The Jones Lecture is will be presented annually by a researcher whose work uses interdisciplinary means of inquiry to advance the sciences and scientific knowledge.
Dr. Michael Mann at the 2024 Carl & Amy Jones Lecture in Interdisciplinary Science where he lead a conversation on using lessons from Earth's past to address climate change.