Conferences & Events

State of Emergency: Freedom & Democracy at the Crossroads Friday Oct. 16th - Saturday Oct. 17th 8:30 am - 5:30 pm, Pyle Center Black & white overhead view of intersecting crosswalks, making an X, with a man in a suit walking across, barely visible. Conveys a sense of foreboding and the possibility of multiple paths.
Check out the symposium webpage! Co-sponsors: Knight Foundation, WARF

Oct. 21, 2026: “How to Participate in Election 2026: A Non-Partisan Guide for Students”

Panelists: Dr. Andrew Trexler (political science), Jessica Calarco (sociology), Barry Burden (political science), Chadbourne Residential College, 7 – 8:30 pm

Past Events

Mar. 25, 2026: Elections in 2026, Chadbourne Residential College informational panel, Panelists: Barry Burden (political science), Lydia McComas (Madison City Clerk), Gonzalez Rivera (UW Voces de la Frontera), Michael Wagner (SJMC).

Nov. 13, 2025: Expression on Campus, Chadbourne Residential College informational panel, Panelists: Katherine Cramer (political science), Dee Hall (Editor in Chief of Floodlight), Jeremy Stoddard (education), Michael Wagner (SJMC).

Apr. 16, 2025: Wisconsin Idea Panel: How is the new presidential administration affecting life at UW? Chadbourne Residential College informational panel, Panelists: Miriam Shelef (medicine), Mark Copelovitch (political science), Aireale Rodgers (educational leadership & policy analysis), Michael Collins (consumer science), Michael Wagner (SJMC).

Oct. 9-10, 2024: Local News in American Civic Life Symposium Co-sponsors: American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, Robert F. and Jean E. Holtz Center, Knight Foundation

Nov. 22, 2022: Renewing Civic Life In Wisconsin: Fulfilling the Legacy of Bill Kraus. Conference Videos

Feb. 27-28, 2020: Fracturing Democracy: The Erosion of Civil Society in a Shifting Communication Ecology Symposium 

Mar. 2, 2018: The Politics of Contention: Communication, Populism and the Crisis of Democracy Symposium. Presentation Videos