Past Events Archive

November's election brings with it unprecedented disinformation technologies, from new uses of social media platforms to generative AI. Join our panel of experts to discuss how our institutions, platforms, and politicians are both combating and enabling this threat to democracy. Panel discussion to be followed by an interactive Q&A with the viewers.

Information is pivotal to democracy and representation. A panel of experts will talk about whether the news is reaching people. Panel featuring: Ariel Hasell (Michigan), Eunji Kim (Columbia), Emily Lawler (Detroit Free Press) and Laura Owen (Nieman Lab, Harvard).

Susan J. Demas, foremost expert on Michigan’s political scene, explores why men and women view this presidential election so differently. Why does age make such a difference? After all, whose vote will prevail? Offering perspectives from younger voters will be an accompanying panel TBA. Expect a lively discussion in the final days before the Nov. 5 election.

As part of the University of Michigan’s Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement initiative, this special event will offer insightful perspectives on the presidential candidates and critical issues shaping the 2024 election. Don’t miss the chance to hear these acclaimed journalists discuss and debate the latest developments on the campaign trail as this historic election reaches its critical final phase.

Join Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Cliff Lampe for a workshop on misinformation propagated during the election season. In this session, Dr. Lampe will talk about what misinformation is, why people are so vulnerable to it, and how it affects the election. The workshop will focus on discussion and activities that help people recognize their vulnerability to misinformation and how to address it more broadly.

Gupta Professional Ethics Series 2024: Disinformation

Renée DiResta studies adversarial abuse online—ways that people attempt to manipulate, harass, or target others within the constantly evolving landscape of digital platforms. She will discuss her empirical research on the ways propagandists deliberately undermine belief in the legitimacy of institutions that make society work and share how she translates her work into policy suggestions to mitigate online information manipulation. Drawing on her personal experience coming under fire for her public interest research, she will share advice on how to do scientific research in a highly politicized environment.

The Latinx community in the United States is heterogeneous and omnipresent, representing every corner of the country and many political priorities. The 2024 presidential election and many down ballot races will rely heavily on this important voting population. Join us to hear from Chuck Rocha, who began his political career in the woods of East Texas at United Rubber Workers Local 746. Chuck has worked on several presidential, Congressional and gubernatorial races through the years, including both of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns.

John Kasich, the Republican governor of Ohio (2011-2019), and Steve Bullock, the Democrat governor of Montana (2013-2020), are both considered moderates in their respective parties. Join them for this Conversation Across Differences as they discuss ways to have civil and civic discourse in an era of political divisiveness.

The University of Michigan is an institution with diverse communities, interests and opinions. This fall, the Faculty Senate Office, supported by Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement, the Michigan in Washington (MIW) program, and the Ginsberg Center, is launching the series – Political Speech and the Public Square – to provide a forum for members of the U-M community to present informed, fact-based perspectives, and to listen to and learn from each other. Offered in the spirit of intellectual humility, to support the principles of academic freedom, and to develop a campus climate comfortable with hearing different well-informed points of view, even those counter to one’s own views, the lunchtime series will take place on the Diag on four biweekly Tuesdays in September and October leading up to the general election. Any student, staff, or faculty member of the University can sign up in advance to speak on the weekly topic for 2 minutes. Or you can simply come to listen and learn.

War Game sweeps audiences into an elaborate future-set simulation that dramatically escalates the threat posed by the January 6, 2021 insurrection. The film follows a bipartisan group of US defense, intelligence, and elected policymakers spanning five presidential administrations as they participate in an unscripted role-play exercise. The screening will be followed by a conversation moderated by Zoe Clark (Michigan Public) featuring Former Governor Steve Bullock, Javed Ali (Ford School), Morela Hernandez (Ford School), and Cliff Lampe (School of Information).