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Harvard in the Political Spotlight: Faculty and Students Tackle ‘Why So Much Attention?’ at Intellectual Vitality Books Open, Gates Unbarred Event

The image depicts a scene inside a wood-paneled auditorium. There are two people engaged in what appears to be a performance or presentation. One person is standing and interacting with a theremin, an electronic musical instrument, while the other person is seated and playing an electric guitar. Behind them is a large projection screen displaying an image or artwork featuring two faces superimposed against a landscape with cacti. A large statue is visible on the left side of the stage. The setting suggests a combination of live music and visual presentation.

Harvard has always drawn national interest, but last year presented an especially challenging and emotional time for our students, faculty, and staff. As the community found itself at the forefront of national political conversations, the College’s Intellectual Vitality Initiative sought to create a space for meaningful discussion through the insights of Harvard’s own faculty. As…

Chin-wag: to have a chat, a friendly conversation.

The image depicts a scene inside a wood-paneled auditorium. There are two people engaged in what appears to be a performance or presentation. One person is standing and interacting with a theremin, an electronic musical instrument, while the other person is seated and playing an electric guitar. Behind them is a large projection screen displaying an image or artwork featuring two faces superimposed against a landscape with cacti. A large statue is visible on the left side of the stage. The setting suggests a combination of live music and visual presentation.

On Sunday, April 28, actor Paul Giamatti and author and philosopher Stephen Asma recorded a live episode of their award-winning podcast, Chinwag, in Sanders Theater. The show’s focus is anything and everything – offering the podcasters the opportunity to discuss diverse topics in-depth.   The duo opened the show with Paul playing the theremin and…

Books Open, Gates Unbarred: The University and the Limits of Free Speech

The image depicts an indoor setting where a small group of people are attending a discussion or seminar. The attendees are seated in rows of chairs facing two individuals at the front of the room who are engaged in conversation. One of the individuals is holding a microphone, suggesting they may be speaking to the audience or being interviewed. The room is decorated with framed artworks on the walls, which feature bird illustrations. The setting suggests a formal yet intimate educational or professional event.

The Council for Academic Freedom catalyzed a broad re-examination of assumptions dominating campus culture for over a decade. Among them was whether Harvard University administration should adopt institutional neutrality. On Monday, April 8, 2024, James Bryant Conant University Professor Danielle Allen, and Harvard Medical School Professor of Psychobiology, Bertha Madras, came together to share their…

Harvard College and PEN America Intellectual Vitality and Free Expression Staff Summit

On January 24, 2024, as part of the Intellectual Vitality Initiatives, Harvard College welcomed guest speakers from PEN America for a special professional development event for College staff and administrators. The day-long summit comprised of three workshops that aimed to help equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and insights needed to navigate issues related to…

Books Open, Gates Unbarred: Violence and Nonviolence by the Numbers

On Thursday, February 22, 2024, Harvard College Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology Steven Pinker, and Harvard Kennedy School Frank Stanton Professor of the First Amendment (and Pforzheimer House Faculty Dean), Erica Chenoweth kicked off the first of the Books Open, Gates Unbarred dinner and dialogue series with the conversation on War: Violence and Nonviolence By…

Books Open, Gates Unbarred

Launching in Spring 2024, “Books Open, Gates Unbarred”, is a dinner and dialogue series so named as an allusion to the poem Seamus Heaney wrote for Harvard’s 350th anniversary. The series will consist of monthly dinners at the Faculty Club, where students will gather to hear two faculty discuss an issue of current concern and…

Intellectual Vitality Dinner Discussion with Dean of Students Tom Dunne

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, students, administrators, and faculty involved with Intellectual Vitality were invited for dinner and dialogue at the home of Dean of Students, Tom Dunne. The focus of the dinner was to discuss the growth of Intellectual Vitality, through engaging in dialogue regarding future plans, and to gather input on how and…

Reflections and Looking Ahead

Dear Harvard College Students, I am writing today to share my heartfelt congratulations to you for reaching the end of the academic year. As we mark the end of the semester, I want to tell you about some conversations that I have had this spring with a group of students and faculty members about the…