Books Open, Gates Unbarred
The dinner and dialogue series, inspired by Seamus Heaney’s poem, features monthly Faculty Club dinners where students hear faculty discuss current issues. Students then continue the conversation among themselves. They leave with faculty-authored books to further their exploration
Recent News
- Harvard in the Political Spotlight: Faculty and Students Tackle ‘Why So Much Attention?’ at Intellectual Vitality Books Open, Gates Unbarred Event
- Intellectual Vitality Really Is Vital. Here’s How To Do It Right.
- Harvard Is Doing Discourse Wrong
- How Intellectual Vitality Became Vital to Harvard
- College’s Commitment to Intellectual Vitality: Creating, Facilitating, and Embracing Beginnings
Upcoming Events
Past Events
Fall 2024
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Insight Spheres
Monday, October 21, 2024
Books Open, Gates Unbarred: Why is Harvard the Focus of So Much Political Attention
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Election Night Watch Party
Friday, November 8, 2024
Community Soundscape Hour
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Books Open, Gates Unbarred: Pursuing Reconciliation After Ethnic Conflict
Spring 2024
Thursday, January 18, 2024
Harvard College and PEN America Intellectual Vitality and Free Expression Student Summit
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Harvard College and PEN America Intellectual Vitality and Free Expression Staff Summit
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Student and Administrator Intellectual Vitality Dinner and Dialogue
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Books Open, Gates Unbarred: Violence and Nonviolence by the Numbers
Monday, April 8, 2024
Books Open, Gates Unbarred: Books Open, Gates Unbarred: The University and the limits of Free Speech
Sunday, April 21, 2024
A live taping of the award-winning podcast Chinwag featuring actor Paul Giamatti and author and philosopher Stephen Asma
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Chat & Chew: Intellectual Vitality Follow-up (Session 1)
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Chat & Chew: Intellectual Vitality Follow-up (Session 2)