2026 Event Series
Dialogue Vanderbilt’s 250 Conversations on America: Civil Discourse in Action is a yearlong series celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary and Vanderbilt’s enduring commitment to open dialogue.
About
Vanderbilt is gathering leaders and innovators, from all disciplines to participate in conversations across our Nashville and New York campuses to model civil discourse in action.
These conversations will be real dialogue that moves beyond sound bites and performance to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time and brings curiosity and conversation back to the public square. Together, we will explore how listening, understanding and learning how to “disagree” and “agree” with nuance, evidence and civility can shape a stronger, more connected future.
-
September 11, 2026:
25 Years Later: A Moment for Remembrance
Together, we will pause to remember and honor those whose lives were lost and forever changed on September 11, 2001.
9:00AM - The Vanderbilt community is invited to gather at the Alumni Lawn Flagpole, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN.
Remarks will be shared by Sydney Savion, Ed.D., Vanderbilt University Vice Chancellor for People, Culture and Belonging.
In partnership with Student Affairs.
-
September 15, 2026:
Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt
Utah Governor Spencer Cox will join Sarah Igo, Vanderbilt University Andrew Jackson Chair in American History, for a conversation about Cox's new book, Off Ramp.
6:00PM - Vanderbilt University Divinity School Benton Chapel, 411 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt, in partnership with the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries.
All event attendees will receive a free copy of Off Ramp!
-
September 17, 2026:
A Conversation with Judge Vince Chhabria
12:10PM - Vanderbilt University Law School, 131 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN
This event is free and open to the Vanderbilt students, faculty, and staff only. A valid Vanderbilt ID is required for entry.
Lunch will be provided.
Please note that this is an in-person-only event, and streaming will not be available.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Law School, the Vanderbilt Law School Chapter of the American Constitution Society, and the Vanderbilt Student Chapter of the Federalist Society.
-
September 17, 2026:
The Midterms: Supreme Court
Featured Speakers:
Brian T. Fitzpatrick, Vanderbilt University Law School Professor of Law and Milton R. Underwood Chair in Free Enterprise.
Francesca Procaccini, Vanderbilt University Law School Associate Professor of Law.
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
6:00PM at Vanderbilt University, Central Library, Community Room, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and Vandy Votes.
-
September 21, 2026:
What Works in Education—and Why Is It So Hard to Scale?
Harvard University professor Roland G. Fryer, Jr. and Vanderbilt University professor Carolyn J. Heinrich join moderator Kevin S. Huffman, CEO of Accelerate and former Tennessee Commissioner of Education, for a timely conversation exploring the research, policies, and practical challenges of improving educational outcomes and translating proven approaches into lasting, large-scale impact.
5:30PM at Vanderbilt University, John Seigenthaler Center, Auditorium, 1207 18th Avenue S, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt.
-
September 22, 2026:
Ken Burns in Conversation with Jon Meacham: The American Revolution
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns will join Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham for a conversation about the American Revolution.
5:00PM at Vanderbilt Langford Auditorium, 2209 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries.
-
September 24, 2026:
The Midterms: Immigration
Featured Speaker: Jonathan Hiskey, Vanderbilt University Professor of Political Science and Director of Graduate Studies.
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue Vanderbilt will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
6:00PM at Vanderbilt University, Central Library, Community Room, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt and Vandy Votes.
-
September 28, 2026:
Jodi Picoult in conversation with Sarah Adams to celebrate her new book, Hollow Bones.
6:30PM at Vanderbilt University Student Life Center, Commodore Ballroom, 310 25th Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
In partnership with the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries and Parnassus Books.
-
October 2-3, 2026:
Global Free Speech Summit 2026
An event to discuss the most pressing challenges threatening freedom of expression worldwide and identify impactful solutions to reinvigorate this fundamental freedom.
Vanderbilt University, John Seigenthaler Center, 1207 18th Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
Presented by The Future of Free Speech and Dialogue Vanderbilt.
-
October 3, 2026:
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear in conversation with a special guest to celebrate his new book, Go And Do Likewise: How We Heal A Broken Country.
1:00PM at Vanderbilt University Divinity School Benton Chapel, 411 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
In partnership with the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries and Parnassus Books.
-
October 6, 2026:
Harry Connick, Jr. to celebrate his debut book, Babe: Elaboratio–A Tribute to My Mother.
6:30PM at Vanderbilt Langford Auditorium, 2209 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
In partnership with the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries and Parnassus Books.
-
October 11, 2026:
Barbara Kingsolver in conversation with Ann Patchett to celebrate her new book, Partita.
6:30PM at Vanderbilt Langford Auditorium, 2209 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
In partnership with the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries and Parnassus Books.
-
October 19, 2026:
Adam Grant in conversation with Ann Patchett to celebrate his new book, Vibe: The Secrets of Strong Connections in a Lonely World.
6:30PM at Vanderbilt Langford Auditorium, 2209 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
In partnership with the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries and Parnassus Books.
-
October 20, 2026:
Malcolm Gladwell in conversation with Lee C. Camp to celebrate his new book, The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic.
6:30PM at Vanderbilt Langford Auditorium, 2209 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
In partnership with the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries and Parnassus Books.
-
October 24, 2026:
Jeff Kinney to celebrate the release of the 21st book in the Diary of Wimpy Kid series, Fight or Flight.
6:30PM at Vanderbilt Langford Auditorium, 2209 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
In partnership with the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries and Parnassus Books.
-
October 29-30, 2026:
The Body Politic: Movement, Labor, and the Dance of Democracy
The Body Politic seeks to uncover the lived, moved, and felt experience of democracy, using artistic practice as a tool for investigation. Proposing that democracy is an embodied practice—not just an abstract ideal—this symposium will highlight artists, community leaders, scholars, and other civic actors whose work advances democratic ideals in and beyond Nashville.
Featuring:
Allison Orr, Founder and Artistic Director of Forklift Danceworks; Doris Duke Foundation Artist Award Winner
Jad Abumrad, Creator of Radiolab and Fela Kuti: Fear No Man; Four-Time Peabody Award Winner; Vanderbilt University Distinguished Professor of Research
Vanderbilt University Alumni Hall, 23rd Ave N, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public.
In partnership with the Curb Center.
-
November 12, 2026:
Dusty Slay in conversation with Joseph Hudak to celebrate his new book, We're Having A Good Time.
6:30PM at Vanderbilt University Student Life Center, Commodore Ballroom, 310 25th Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
In partnership with the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries and Parnassus Books.
-
November 19, 2026:
Bonnie Garmus in conversation with Ann Patchett to celebrate her new book, Peck & Peck.
6:30PM at Vanderbilt Langford Auditorium, 2209 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
In partnership with the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries and Parnassus Books.