¿ì»îapp's Day of Free Expression & Pluralism

Look out for more information on Spark 2025 soon!


Summary of Spark 2024
In its second year, Spark ignited engaging conversations on the pressing issues challenging democracies and institutions worldwide.Ìý

Participants:

  • Heard a conversationÌýon whether our laws—or policies—protect hate speech.Ìý
  • Explored the intersection of social justice and civil discourse.Ìý
  • Debated about whether codes of conduct should include social media activity.
  • Anonymously shared your free expression experience at ¿ì»îapp.Ìý

Spark 2024 Events

An array of microphones

Virtual PanelÌýÌý

Is Hate Speech Protected?Ìý

  • Time: 10 - 11:15 a.m.Ìý
  • Location: VirtualÌý

Where is the line between free speech and hate speech? And how is that boundary defined by our laws vs. cultural, institutional or international norms?  Ìý

Join to hear national thought leaders and scholars on free speech, hate speech, the first amendment, feminism, social justice, technology, religion and media discuss these complex and deeply important questions.  Ìý

Moderator
Derigan Silver
Derigan Silver,Ìý¿ì»îapp’s faculty director of freedom of expression and civil discourse initiatives and chair of the Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies.

Ìý

Panelists Ìý
Katia Campbell headshot
Katia Campbell, professor of communications studies at Metropolitan State University and co-author of 2009 book, Neo-Pragmatism, Communication, and the Culture of Creative Democracy 
Caitlin Carlson headshot
Caitlin Carlson, associate professor in communications at Seattle University and author of 2021 book, Hate Speech
greg lukianoff
Greg Lukianoff, CEO of Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and author of several books including the 2018,ÌýThe Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure
Eboo Patel headshot
Eboo Patel, director of Interfaith America and author of several books including the 2022, We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy

Ìý

¿ì»îapp's braver angels debate

Lunch & DebateÌý

Should social media posts by students be subject to the University’s code of conduct?ÌýÌý

  • Time: Noon to 1:45 p.m.Ìý
  • Location: Anderson Academic Commons 290Ìý

Join us for a free Snarf’s lunch and take part in a debate on this complex topic. This non-competitive debate allows anyone in the room to speak, listen ask questions. It will also feature short speeches from different viewpoints featuring students, faculty, staff, or community members.Ìý Ìý

Jeremy Johnson, assistant professor of rhetoric, will serve as chair for the debate.ÌýÌý

 Braver Angels logo

 Bridge USA logo

ACTA logo

This debate is part of the College Debate & Discourse Alliance, co-sponsored by Braver Angels, ACTA, and BridgeUSA.Ìý

Audience at a panel

Expert PanelÌýÌý

Dialogue Across Difference:ÌýAn Interdisciplinary Conversation on Perceived Tensions Between Social Justice and Civil Discourse ÌýÌý

  • Time: 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.Ìý
  • Location: Anderson Academic Commons 290Ìý

Listen to a conversation between four esteemed ¿ì»îapp community members with backgrounds ranging from public policy, international affairs, equity, foreign policy, history, comparative politics, and more. They will discuss civil discourse as part of the work of social justice, how civil discourse has been used a tool to engage across difference, as well as the limits of civil discourse when viewed through the structures of power.      Ìý

Moderator
Tamra Pearson d’Estree, associate professor of conflict resolution in the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the ¿ì»îapp
Tamra Pearson d’Estree

Professor of conflict resolution in theÌýJosef Korbel School of International Studies

Director ofÌýGlobal Environmental Sustainability MA, Global Environmental Change & Adaptation Certificate

Korbel Lead of International and Intercultural Communication Certificate

Coordinator of the Conflict Engagement and Resolution Initiative

Ìý

Panelists Ìý
Naazneen Barma
Naazneen Barma, founding director of ¿ì»îapp’s Scrivner Institute of Public Policy and associate professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the ¿ì»îapp.
Lauren Hammond
Lauren Hammond, ¿ì»îapp’s inaugural assistant vice-chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion – academic engagement and historian.ÌýÌý
Liz Sheriden Sperber
Liz Sheridan Sperber, assistant professor in political science in ¿ì»îapp’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Ìý
Thomas Walker
Thomas Walker, senior project manager, strategic initiatives & support, Health & Counseling Center