Freedom of Expression, Intellectual Freedom, and Constructive Dialogue Speaker Series
Upcoming Events and Speakers
2025-2026 Events and Speakers
- Monday, April 6, 2026
- 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Student Union West Ballroom
- Free and Open to Public
- Refreshments Provided
Advanced Dialogue Facilitation Workshop
- Tuesday, April 7, 2026
- 5:00 - 8:30 PM, Student Union
- Registration Required
- Friday, April 10, 2026
- 7:00 PM, UW Education Auditorium
- Free and Open to the Public
- Snacks and Drinks Provided
Past Events and Speakers
Manu Meel
Manu Meel, the founder of BridgeUSA, a national bridging and dialogue organization, will be on the UW campus for a panel discussion about political polarization. Meel was invited by BridgeUWYO, the student chapter of BridgeUSA at the University of Wyoming. Manu Meel is passionate about empowering young people to bridge divides. As CEO of BridgeUSA, Meel is building the largest and fastest growing student movement to bridge our differences and change how we talk about politics. He also hosts the weekly podcast, The Hopeful Majority. Manu is a contributor at Forbes and his work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other media platforms. In 2022, Manu was recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for leading BridgeUSA.
The event takes place on Monday, April 6, from 5-7pm in the Student Union's West Ballroom. Refreshments will be served. It is free and open to the public
Advanced Dialogue Facilitation Workshop
Tuesday, April 7, from 5:00-8:30pm, leaders from BridgeUSA will be offering an Advanced Dialogue Facilitation Workshop, which includes a certificate of completion. Workshop participants will practice moderating dialogues, de-escalating conflict, and guiding discussions toward solutions. The workshop is made possible by the Free Expression, Intellectual Freedom, and Constructive Dialogue Program. The workshop takes place in the Student Union and requires advanced registration here.
Join or Die
Join or Die will be screened on Friday, April 10, at 7:00 PM in the UW Education Auditorium. This Emmy-nominated documentary follows renowned social scientist Robert Putnam as he examines the decades-long decline in civic and community engagement in the United States and its consequences for democratic life. Featuring insights from scholars, public leaders, and grassroots organizers, the film explores what makes democracy work, why it is under strain, and what individuals and communities can do to rebuild social connection. The screening will be free and open to the public, with popcorn, candy, and sodas provided, and a discussion will follow the film. The event is presented by the University of Wyoming with support from the UW chapter of Heterodox Academy, the Office of Community Engagement, and partners involved in America’s 250th celebration.
Past Events and Speakers
Public Enemies, Private Friends
Public Enemies, Private Friends was screened on Friday, February 27, at 7:00 PM in the UW Education Auditorium. The film recounts the aftermath of a 1994 shooting at two abortion clinics in Brookline, Massachusetts, and follows an extraordinary, years-long private dialogue between leaders on opposing sides of the abortion debate. Drawing from over 150 hours of recorded conversations, the documentary explores the possibilities and limits of dialogue across deep moral and political divides. The screening was free and open to the public, with popcorn, candy, and sodas provided, and a facilitated discussion followed the film.
The event was sponsored by the University of Wyoming, the UW chapter of Heterodox Academy, and the Office of Community Engagement.
Undivide Us
Undivide US was screened on Friday, February 13, at 7:00 PM in the UW Education Auditorium. The documentary examines how political leaders and media narratives fuel polarization in the United States, framing Americans as enemies divided along ideological, economic, racial, and cultural lines. Through expert analysis and real-world examples, the film challenges the idea that citizens who disagree are incapable of civil dialogue and demonstrates how constructive conversation can help strengthen democracy. The screening was free and open to the public, with popcorn, candy, and sodas provided, and a discussion followed the film.
The event was presented by the University of Wyoming in partnership with the UW chapter of Heterodox Academy and the Office of Community Engagement.
Simon Cullen
"How to Talk to Anyone About Anything (And Why You Should Do It)"
Simon Cullen, Visiting Research Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Civil Discourse at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, delivered his presentation “How to Talk to Anyone About Anything (And Why You Should Do It!)” on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. in the Student Union Family Room. Cullen introduced Sway, the AI platform he developed to promote constructive disagreement, and shared research on how technology can enhance reasoning and dialogue.
The event was organized by the Office of the President, with support from the Honors College, College of Arts & Sciences, and the School of Computing, and was free and open to the public.
Alice Dreger
"Gender and Biological Sex in a Context of Free Expression and Self-Censorship"
Alice Dreger, Managing Editor at Heterodox Academy, delivered her presentation “Gender and Biological Sex in a Context of Free Expression and Self-Censorship” on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. in COE Library 506. Dreger, who holds a Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science from Indiana University and is the author of Galileo’s Middle Finger and Hermaphrodites and the Medical Invention of Sex, led a lively discussion with students from BridgeUWYO, College Democrats, and Turning Point USA, as well as with members of the public.
The event was organized by the Heterodox Academy Campus Community at UW with support from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, and was free and open to the public.
Nadine Strossen
“Does Free Speech Help or Hurt Civil Rights Movements?”
Nadine Strossen gave a talk entitled “Does Free Speech Help or Hurt Civil Rights Movements?” on Tues, Feb. 25 at 5:30pm in the Agriculture Auditorium. Strossen is John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law, Emerita, New York Law School, former president of the ACLU, and the author of HATE: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship (2018) and Free Speech: What Everyone Needs to Know® (2023). Strossen’s visit is brought to us by the UW chapter of Heterodox Academy, with additional support from the Office of the President, and was free and open to the public. Strossen's books will be available for sale at the University Store and at the reception.
Martín Carcasson
"Tackling Wicked Problems through Deliberative Engagement: How to Engage Diverse Perspectives and Elevate our Conversations in Hyper-Partisan Times"
Martín Carcasson presented his work on dialogue and deliberation to tackle wicked problems on Monday, March 10, and Tuesday, March 11, 2025. His presentation, "Tackling Wicked Problems through Deliberative Engagement: How to Engage Diverse Perspectives and Elevate our Conversations in Hyper-Partisan Times," took place in the Student Union West Ballroom on March 10 at 5:30 p.m. Carcasson, a Professor of Communication Studies at Colorado State University and the founding director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation, shared insights from his research, which focuses on helping local communities address “wicked problems” more productively through improved public communication, community problem-solving, and collaborative decision-making.
The day after his presentation, on March 11, Carcasson offered three participatory workshops for faculty, staff, and students to practice collaborative dialogue techniques. All of these sessions took place in the Student Union West Ballroom.
Carcasson’s visit was sponsored by the student organization BridgeUWYO, the Service, Leadership, and Community Engagement (SLCE) Office, the Malcolm Wallop Civic Engagement Program, and the Office of the President.
Paul Steinhardt
“The Great Debate 2025: How the Universe Came to Be”
Paul Steinhardt, Albert Einstein Professor in Science at Princeton University, delivered his presentation “The Great Debate 2025: How the Universe Came to Be” on Friday, April 25, at 4 p.m. in Classroom Building 129. A reception with food and drinks followed the talk. Both events were free and open to the public.
Guests or members of the public who attended university-sponsored events and programs and required disability accommodations were encouraged to reach out to principles@uwyo.ed. Note: The linked video is an interview with Steinhardt rather than a recording of the actual talk given.
