Past Events

51污漫

51污漫 is gathering leaders and innovators, from all disciplines to participate in conversations across our Nashville and New York campuses to model civil discourse in action.听

These conversations will be real dialogue that moves beyond sound bites and performance to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time and brings curiosity and conversation back to the public square.听 Together, we will explore how listening, understanding and learning how to 鈥渄isagree鈥� and 鈥渁gree鈥� with nuance, evidence and civility can shape a stronger, more connected future.听听听

October 22, 2026: A Conversation on Economics Ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections with Doug Holtz-Eakin and Mark Zandi

In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt hosted conversations exploring timely issues shaping the national dialogue. Watch a conversation between Doug Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum, and Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody鈥檚 Analytics, as they discuss the state of the U.S. economy and the economic issues facing Americans today.

September 22, 2026: A Conversation on the American Revolution with Ken Burns and Paul Stob at Vanderbilt University

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns in conversation with Paul Stob, Director of the Program in Culture, Advocacy, and Leadership at Vanderbilt University.

September 8, 2026: A Conversation on Free Expression and Combating Antisemitism on College Campuses with Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.).

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier joined Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) at Vanderbilt's John Seigenthaler Center for a bipartisan conversation on academic freedom, antisemitism and campus belonging.

October 29-30, 2026:
The Body Politic: Movement, Labor, and the Dance of Democracy
The Body Politic听seeks to uncover the lived, moved, and felt experience of democracy, using artistic practice as a tool for investigation. Proposing that democracy is an embodied practice鈥攏ot just an abstract ideal鈥攖his symposium will highlight artists, community leaders, scholars, and other civic actors whose work advances democratic ideals in and beyond Nashville.
Featuring:
, Founder and Artistic Director of ; Artist Award Winner.
, Creator of and ; Four-Time Peabody Award Winner; Vanderbilt University Distinguished Professor of Research.
In partnership with the Curb Center.
October 29, 2026:
Historian joins Pulitzer Prize鈥搘inning author to discuss Hitchcock鈥檚 new book, .
Presented by the and Dialogue Vanderbilt.
October 28, 2026:
Featured Speaker:
The Margaret Cuninggim Women鈥檚 Center presents the 2026 Cuninggim Lecture on Women in Culture and Society.听 The event will explore the experiences and contributions of women in country music. There will be a reception and book signing to follow.
In partnership with the Margaret Cuninggim Women鈥檚 Center.
October 27, 2026:
The Midterms: NBC Decision Desk
Featured Speakers:
, Professor, Abby and Jon Winkelried Chair; Co-Director, Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions; Executive Board Member, Data Science Institute.
, Associate Professor of History, Vanderbilt University; Dir., .
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and .
October 26, 2026:
talks about his new book, , Building a $2.2 Billion Toy Empire, and Leading with Curiosity.
Featured Speakers:
, Cofounder and Chairman of , the global children鈥檚 entertainment company behind iconic brands including & .
, Executive Director, Dialogue Vanderbilt.
Presented by in partnership with the .
October 26, 2026:
Pitch Ronnen Harary your idea, live, at the Airstream in one minute. If he selects your pitch, you get $500 to develop it on the spot. You have 7 days to use the $500 to take your first real step, then send your receipts and full pitch. 10 winners will be chosen from the founders who follow through.听 A $25,000 grant for each winner. No strings attached.
: The author of , Cofounder and Chairman of , the global children鈥檚 entertainment company behind iconic brands including & .
Presented by in partnership with the .
October 24, 2026:
to celebrate the release of the 21st book in the Diary of Wimpy Kid听series, .
In partnership with the and .
October 22, 2026:
The Midterms: Economics
Featured Speakers:听
, President, .
, Chief Economist, .
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
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Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and .
October 20, 2026:
in conversation with to celebrate his new book, .
In partnership with the and .
October 19, 2026:
听in conversation with to celebrate his new book, .
In partnership with the and .
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October 15, 2026:
The Midterms: Redistricting
Featured Speakers:
, Executive Director of The People.
, Vanderbilt University Principal Senior Lecturer, Political Science
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and .
October 13, 2026:
Finding Common Ground: A Mayor's Perspective
Featured Speakers:
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, Former Mayor of New Orleans and Lt. Governor for Louisiana.
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, Former Mayor of Nashville, Tennessee.
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Former mayors and will share lessons from leading, growing, and reshaping communities and discuss what it will take to find common ground and strengthen democracy for the next 250 years.
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Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt.
October 12, 2026:
in conversation with to celebrate her book, .
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Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt.
October 11, 2026:
in conversation with to celebrate her new book, .
In partnership with the and .
October 8, 2026:
The Midterms: Healthcare
Featured Speakers:
, University of Michigan Assistant Professor, Health Management and Policy; Author of .
, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair; Distinguished Professor of Political Science; Co-Director, Vanderbilt Poll; Advisor, Dialogue Vanderbilt.
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and .
October 6, 2026:
to celebrate his debut book, .
In partnership with the and .
October 5, 2026:
The Pulse of Democracy: The U.S. in Regional Perspective
Drawing on the latest AmericasBarometer survey, the 2026 Pulse of Democracy examines how people across the Americas view democracy, governance, migration, security, and other pressing issues shaping the region.听听
Featured Speakers:
, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science at Vanderbilt University and Director of the Center for Global Democracy and LAPOP Lab
, Professor and William R. Kenan, Jr. Chair in the Department of Political Science at Vanderbilt University.; Partners; Center for Global Democracy
Presented by the Center for Global Democracy and Dialogue Vanderbilt.
October 3, 2026:
Kentucky Governor in conversation with a special guest to celebrate his new book, .
In partnership with the and .
October 2-3, 2026:
An event to discuss the most pressing challenges threatening freedom of expression worldwide and identify impactful solutions to reinvigorate this fundamental freedom.
Presented by and Dialogue Vanderbilt.
October 2-3, 2026:
An event to discuss the most pressing challenges threatening freedom of expression worldwide and identify impactful solutions to reinvigorate this fundamental freedom.
Presented by and Dialogue Vanderbilt.
October 1, 2026:
Part of a national movement focused on building stronger communities through shared meals, The Longest Table creates space to engage across perspectives, build community and experience belonging in action.听 Every seat is an opportunity for connection 鈥� share a meal with people you might not otherwise cross paths with, discover new perspectives and build connections beyond your usual circles.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and Student Affairs.
October 1, 2026:
The Midterms: National Security
Featured Speakers:
, Associate Professor of Political Science, Director of Undergraduate Studies for Public Policy Studies and National Security, Immersion Faculty Fellow.
, Journalist at The Atlantic, National Security Fellow at the Vanderbilt University Institute of National Security.
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and .
October 1, 2026:
The Midterms: National Security
Featured Speakers:
, Associate Professor of Political Science, Director of Undergraduate Studies for Public Policy Studies and National Security, Immersion Faculty Fellow.
, Journalist at The Atlantic, National Security Fellow at the Vanderbilt University Institute of National Security.
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and .
October 1, 2026:
Institutional Non-Neutrality
Featured Speaker:
, Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law at UC Davis
Presented by the and Dialogue Vanderbilt.
September 28, 2026:
in conversation with to celebrate her new book, .
In partnership with the and .
September 24, 2026:
The Midterms: Immigration
Featured Speakers:
, Vanderbilt University Professor of Political Science and Director of Graduate Studies.
, Vanderbilt University Associate Professor of History.
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and .
September 22, 2026:
Ken Burns: A Conversation on the American Revolution at Vanderbilt University
Award-winning documentary filmmaker in conversation with , Director of the at Vanderbilt University.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt听and the .
September 21, 2026:
What Works in Education鈥攁nd Why Is It So Hard to Scale?
Harvard University professor听听and Vanderbilt University professor听听join moderator听, CEO of Accelerate and former Tennessee Commissioner of Education, for a timely conversation exploring the research, policies, and practical challenges of improving educational outcomes and translating proven approaches into lasting, large-scale impact.
Presented by听.
September 17, 2026:
The Midterms: Supreme Court
Featured Speakers:
, Vanderbilt University Law School Professor of Law and Milton R. Underwood Chair in Free Enterprise.
, Vanderbilt University Law School Associate Professor of Law.
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and .
September 17, 2026:
Presented by听Dialogue Vanderbilt,听, the听, and the听.
September 15, 2026:
Utah Governor will join , Vanderbilt University Andrew Jackson Chair in American History, for a conversation about Cox's new book, .
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt, in partnership with the .
September 11, 2026:
25 Years Later: A Moment for Remembrance
Together, we will pause to remember and honor those whose lives were lost and forever changed on September 11, 2001.
Remarks will be shared by Sydney Savion, Ed.D., Vanderbilt University Vice Chancellor for People, Culture and Belonging.听
In partnership with Student Affairs.
September 9, 2026:
Former U.S. Senator in conversation with chief Washington correspondent about Alexander鈥檚 bestselling memoir.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt, in partnership with the .
September 8, 2026:
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier joined Reps. and at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN for a bipartisan conversation on academic freedom, antisemitism and campus belonging.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and the Division of Government and Community Relations.
September 8, 2026:
The History of Nashville Hot Chicken
Former Nashville Mayor and of will come together for a conversation about one of Nashville鈥檚 most iconic traditions: hot chicken.听
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt.
September 8, 2026:
in conversation with to celebrate her new book, .
In partnership with the and .
September 4, 2026:
in conversation with 听to celebrate her new book, .
In partnership with the and .
September 3, 2026:
The Midterms: The State of Democracy
Featured Speaker: , Vanderbilt University Associate Professor of History; Director, Rogers Center for the American Presidency.
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and .
July 2, 2026:
discussing her new book in conversation with . The award-winning, bestselling author of 听and听听returns with a soaring historical novel set in Ireland in the years before and after the Great Hunger.
In partnership with the 听and .
June 8, 2026:
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A special evening for a candid conversation with former First Lady about her life in the White House during a singular moment in US history in conversation with .
In partnership with the 听and .
April 28, 2026:
Featuring author in conversation with
In partnership with the , , the ,听, and .
April 23-24, 2026:
Asness Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats
The Shadow of War, The Illusion of Peace: National Security in the Age of Asymmetry
In partnership with the Institute of National Security.
April 23, 2026:
Jock Jams: A Listening Session with Soul鈥檇 Creative Collective
In partnership with the and the .
April 20, 2026:
Cracking the Code: How Vanderbilt Students Won Over MLB Executives
In partnership with the .
April 17, 2026:
Featuring a conversation with author , Laird Bell Professor of History at Harvard University
In partnership with the .
April 15, 2026:
Evolutionary Studies Initiative Earth Day Lecture: Mass Extinction and Ecosystem Recovery featuring
In partnership with the Evolutionary Studies Initiative.
April 14, 2026:
Featuring, Vanderbilt University Professor of Communication Studies;
Director of Culture, Advocacy, and Leadership; Director of A&S College Core
In partnership with the and .
Featuring a conversation with author , New York University Professor of American Jewish History; Director, Goldstein-Goren Center for American Jewish History
In partnership with the .
April 10, 2026:
The Aging of Information: From Info-Enthusiasm to Info-Anxiety
Featuring , Adjunct Professor Emeritus at the School of Information, University of California, Berkeley
In partnership with the .
April 9, 2026:
Locked Out: Structural Barriers Facing the Formerly Incarcerated
Panel featuring Kelsey Hall, Rep. Harold Love, Jr., Savannah Quintero & Thomas Shaw
In partnership with .
April 8, 2026:
Can AI Strengthen Democracy?
A听conversation with Warren County Judge/Executive of Kentucky and Scott Carpenter, Managing Director of , a Google company.
The conversation will be moderated by , Professor of Political Science at Vanderbilt University; Abby and Jon Winkelried Chair; Co-Director of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions; and Executive Board Member of the Data Science Institute.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt.
April 2, 2026:
Poverty, Power, and the Possibility of Change
Community Over Chaos Speaker Series featuring , the Maurice P. During Professor of Sociology at Princeton University and the principal investigator of听.听 This conversation will be moderated by , Vanderbilt University Divinity School Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Society.
In partnership with the James Lawson Institute.
April 1, 2026:
Who Speaks for Nashville Now?听 Local Journalism and Democratic Accountability听
Featured speakers include , , , , , and .
In partnership with the Curb Center and the .听
March 26, 2026:
Featuring a conversation with author , Ira D. Wallach Professor of History at Columbia University
In partnership with the .

Featuring a conversation with the author, National Book Award鈥搘inning historian , and
In partnership with the and .听
March 24, 2026:
Featuring a conversation with author
In partnership with the .听
Special community gathering featuring a lecture from a freed hostage and Nova Festival survivor, Maya Regev
In partnership with .
March 19, 2026:
Covering Climate in Chaotic Times featuring Sadie Babits, National Public Radio Senior Supervising Climate Editor
In partnership with the .听
March 18, 2026:
Evolutionary Studies Initiative 2026 J.T. Scopes Lecture featuring Tyrone B. Hayes
In partnership with the Evolutionary Studies Initiative.
Charley Pride: I鈥檓 Just Me: A Film Screening and Live Discussion
Featuring Filmmaker and Director Barbara Hall and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick听
In partnership with the and the .
March 17, 2026:
Reclaiming Our Cities: Fighting Displacement and Building Belonging
Community Over Chaos Speaker Series featuring Tara Raghuveer, Tenant Union Federation听
In partnership with the James Lawson Institute.
March 11, 2026:
Nashville's Hidden Heroes: Honoring Rabbi Randall M. Falk
Moderated by Andr茅 L. Churchwell, M.D.
In partnership with the .
March 5, 2026:
Barrett Lecture: Civic Courage, the Rule of Law, and the Legal Profession at a Crossroads听featuring Donald B. Verrilli, Jr.
In partnership with听.
March 2, 2026:
Is There A Center in America? A Conversation with Joe Manchin and Jon Meacham
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt.
February 27, 2026:
2026 Tennessee Campus Civic Summit
Student-Driven Solutions for Tennessee's Future featuring Keynote Speaker Katie Fahey, Executive Director of The People
In partnership with the听,听, and听.听
February 26, 2026:
Bishop Johnson Black Cultural Center presents the Black Futures Symposium 2026: Blackness and Artificial Intelligence
Presenters: Morgan Debaun, Founder and CEO of Blavity Inc and AfroTech Conference; Corey Ponder, Alum (B.S. '07) & Global Head of Policy and Product Partnerships at TikTok; Dr. Charreau Bell, Senior Data Scientist at the Data Science Institute at Vanderbilt
In partnership with the听Bishop Johnson Black Cultural Center.听
Live. Learn. Lead. Academy Symposium听Keynote Speaker Coach Clark Lea
In partnership with the Live. Learn. Lead. Academy.听
February 25, 2026:
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham to discuss his latest book听in conversation with former NBC News anchor and correspondent听John M. Seigenthaler听
American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union
In partnership with the 听and .
February 24, 2026:
We Live Here: Community Power and the Struggle for Environmental Justice featuring Sharon Cayette Lavigne and Shamyra Lavigne-Davey of RISE St. James
In collaboration with the听James Lawson Institute.
February 20, 2026:
Vanderbilt Holocaust Lecture Series featuring Dr. Alex Kor & Dr. Stacy Gallin
Medicine and Morality: Why the Lessons and Legacies of the Holocaust Matter Now More Than Ever
In partnership with the听, the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life,听, and .
February 18, 2026:
Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr. Memoir Launch Celebration
NONVIOLENT: My Life of Resistance, Agitation, and Love by Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr. and Emily Yellin
In partnership with the听James Lawson Institute听and听.
International Darwin Day Lecture featuring Michael Lynch
Evolutionary Cell Biology: Rethinking the Origins of Cellular Architecture
In partnership with the Evolutionary Studies Initiative.
February 17, 2026:
The John C. Kornblum Distinguished Lecture Series featuring Metin Hakverdi
In partnership with the听听and the听.
February 11, 2026:
Building What Lasts: No BS Lessons from a Made-in-America Company featuring Bill Banta, CEO of DECKED
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt.
Where is Our Hope in a World of Death?听 A conversation on living and dying well featuring Jessika C. Boles and Lydia Dugdale听
In partnership with the .
February 6, 2026:
Vanderbilt Divinity School Lunch and Learn featuring Rep. Harold Love, Jr.
In partnership with the .听听听
February 4, 2026:
The Vanderbilt Lecture Series on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats featuring Richard Moore, KCMG
In partnership with the Institute of National Security.
February 3, 2026:
The Death of Facebook featuring Teddy Solomon, CEO of Fizz
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt.
January 15, 2026:
MLK Commemorative Event Series featuring Cheryl McKissack Daniel in Conversation with Jeremi London
In partnership with the听MLK Commemorative Event Series.
January 13, 2026:
Community as Sanctuary: Defending Immigrant Families in Times of Fear featuring Cathy Carrillo, Co-Founder of ReMIX TN
In collaboration with the听James Lawson Institute.