Engage in Scholarly Discourse
Engage in Scholarly Discourse

Join the Conversation
Experience academic forums where current and aspiring scholars share ideas and engage in meaningful discourse. Join us at events — from academic seminars and symposia to conferences and colloquia — to discuss ideas and challenges shaping the good society.
Explore Upcoming Events
Meet and collaborate with scholars on a specialized research topic.

Freedom of Speech in a World of Misinformation
Zoom · Event date: October 17, 2023 · Event time:4:30–6:00 PM ET
Overview
Join us for an online research discussion on “Freedom of Speech in a World of Misinformation.” This research discussion will feature a presentation by Jeff Kosseff, who will be discussing topics from his upcoming book “Liar in a Crowded Theater: Freedom of Speech in a World of Misinformation.”
Following Professor Kosseff’s presentation, there will be time for participants to ask follow-up questions about the presentation and other related topics. This event will take place on October 17, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM Eastern Time, and will be hosted via Zoom. Apply now!
Speaker
Jeff Kosseff, United States Naval Academy
Schedule
*All times are listed in Eastern Time
Tuesday, October 17
4:30 PM | Opening Remarks
4:35 PM | Book Presentation by Jeff Kosseff
5:10 PM | Q&A
5:55 PM | Closing Remarks

Online Speech after AI
Zoom · Event date: November 15, 2023 · Event time:3:30–5:00 PM ET
Overview
In the spirit of sustaining free, tolerant, and pluralistic societies, the Institute for Humane Studies is convening an interdisciplinary group of scholars to explore how the rise of AI content moderation could impact free speech online and even democracy itself.
Join us online for a panel discussion followed by breakout conversations where you can share your expertise and tackle pressing questions with other scholars. This event takes place online on November 15, beginning with opening remarks at 3:30 PM Eastern Time and concluding with breakout discussions from 4:00 to 5:00 PM.
Please come prepared to discuss your current research and share ideas for future academic research or public-facing work, such as op-eds, on AI content moderation and its impact on free speech. If you have research interests in this area, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity.
Panelists
Amy Bruckman, Georgia Institute of Technology
Schedule
*All times are listed in Eastern Time
Wednesday, November 15
3:15 PM | Room Opens
3:30 PM | Opening Remarks
3:35 PM | Panel
4:00 PM | Breakout Discussions

Tolerance in an Era of Divisions
Zoom · Event date: November 28, 2023 · Event time:12:00–1:00 PM ET
Overview
In the spirit of sustaining free, tolerant, and pluralistic societies, the Institute for Humane Studies invites an interdisciplinary group of scholars to explore the importance of tolerance as a democratic value, especially as it relates to affective polarization. This includes thinking through how tolerance can play a role in sustaining democracy in the midst of partisan divisions.
Join us online for a panel discussion followed by breakout conversations where you can share your expertise and tackle pressing questions with other scholars. This event takes place online on November 28, beginning with opening remarks at 12:00 PM Eastern Time and concluding with breakout discussions from 12:15 to 1:00 PM.
Please come prepared to discuss your current research and share ideas for future academic research or public-facing work, such as op-eds, on tolerance. If you have research interests in this area, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity.
Speaker
James Tilley, University of Oxford
Schedule
*All times are listed in Eastern Time
Tuesday, November 28
11:45 AM | Room Opens
12:00 PM | Opening Remarks
12:03 PM | Presentation
12:15 PM | Breakout Discussions
Meet and collaborate with scholars on a specialized research topic.

Motivations for Migration
Zoom · Event date: August 1–22, 2023 · Event time:2–4 PM ET
Overview
The Institute for Humane Studies invites graduate students to apply for “Motivations for Migration,” a series of four discussions about complex reasons for migration. Readings will cover climate and economic pressures, as well as review the forms of Mexico-U.S. migration and the benefits and consequences to potential migrants and their destination countries.
Please note that participants are expected to acquire their own readings and will receive an honoraria of $500 for full participation in all four sessions as well as a $30 book stipend per session, totalling $620 paid at the conclusion of the program. Participants are encouraged to acquire their book copies as soon as possible upon registration.
Reading List
View the full reading list here!
August 1 – “Human Migration: An Overview”
August 8 – “Mexico-U.S. Migration”
August 15 – “Economic Reasons for Migration”
August 22 – “Climate-Driven Migration”
Schedule
Four consecutive Tuesdays in August, from 2 to 4 PM Eastern Time.
Join our research community and collaborate on research with academics and explore current topics through moderated panel discussions and breakout sessions.

Paths to Flourishing and Abundance
New Orleans, LA · Event date: November 17, 2023 · Event time:1:00–6:30 PM CT
Overview
How would life improve with innovative transportation systems, ample clean energy, and improved healthcare outcomes? A future of abundance is possible, but we are faced with big questions around barriers that are holding us back.
This symposium will bring together an interdisciplinary group of scholars to explore how academic research can be leveraged to bolster human flourishing and abundance in society. Topics will include technology, immigration, health, and energy.
This event precedes the Southern Economic Association annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. IHS will provide a stipend to offset one night of hotel accommodations for non-local attendees.
Keynote Speaker
- Eli Dourado, Center for Growth and Opportunity
Panelists
- Michael A. Clemens, George Mason University
- Theodore R. Bolema, Wichita State University
- Anna Broughel, Johns Hopkins University
- Charles Kenny, Center for Global Development
Schedule
*All times are listed in Central Time
Friday, November 17
1:00–1:30 PM | Registration and Coffee
1:30–1:45 PM | Welcome and Opening Remarks
1:45–2:30 PM | Keynote Address by Eli Dourado
2:30–3:00 PM | Coffee Break
3:00–4:15 PM | Panel Discussion
4:15–4:30 PM | Closing Remarks
4:30–6:30 PM | Networking Reception
IHS attends multiple academic conferences a year across a variety of disciplines. Catch up with IHS staff, learn about our support, and discuss ideas at an IHS-sponsored conference event.
American Economic Association (AEA)
Academy of Management (AOM)
American Philosophical Association-East (APA)
American Political Science Association (APSA)
American Sociological Association (ASA)
Association of Private Enterprise Education (APEE)
Association of American Law Schools (AALS)
International Studies Association (ISA)
Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA)
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Society (PPE)
Public Choice Society (PCS)
Southern Economic Association (SEA)
Southern Political Science Association (SPSA)
Western Economic Association (WEA)
Western Political Science Association (WPSA)
Participate in conversations around cutting-edge scholarship and fresh perspectives on liberalism from some of the brightest minds in our academic network.

Affective Polarization and Democratic Norms with James Tilley
Zoom · Event date: August 22, 2023 · Event time:12:00–1:00 PM ET
Overview
The Institute for Humane Studies is pleased to announce this online webinar on Tuesday, August 22, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM Eastern Time. Join us for a conversation with James Tilley, professor of politics at the University of Oxford and fellow of Jesus College, about his research on affective polarization and how polarization affects democratic norms and tolerance.
This conversation will focus on research by Professor Tilley and others. His work uses the recent emergence of new political identities in Britain (Remainers and Leavers during the Brexit referendum) as a case study of how an issue of little importance to the electorate was transformed into a highly divisive political identity.
Using observational and experimental data he demonstrates some of the malignant effects of tribal politics that we also associate with US partisanship. He is also interested in how polarization relates to political tolerance.
Currently, the affective polarization literature tends to equate intolerance with out-group hostility. Yet tolerance does not imply that one likes the other side, just that one respects the other side’s civic rights to free speech and free association.
In this second project, Professor Tilley, with Professor Sara Hobolt and Professor Teresa Bejan, maps the extent of partisan tolerance and its relationship to affective, and ideological, polarization. IHS Program Manager, Michael Brodrick, will host the conversation, which will be followed by Q&A.