UW Visiting Fulbright Professor to Discuss Democracy Nov. 5 in Sheridan

A visiting Fulbright professor at the University of Wyoming will discuss “Democracy in America and Around the World” Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Sheridan.

James Arvanitakis, the 2019-20 Milward L. Simpson Visiting Fulbright Professor in UW’s School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies, will discuss current issues from 7-8:30 p.m. in the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center’s Tandem Hall. The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be available.

The discussion is part of UW’s Sen. Malcolm Wallop Civic Engagement Project. This fall marks the launch of the program, a two-year partnership with UW and Wyoming community colleges to share the expertise of faculty members and students with state residents.

Arvanitakis is an associate vice president for research and graduate studies at Western Sydney University, Australia. He says contemporary democracies around the world, “be it the United States or Australia, have shown themselves to be resilient to shocks: From terrorist attacks to natural disasters, citizens rally and work cooperatively.”

“Despite this, a number of social and political trends are causing fractures which are dividing us. How can these trends be addressed and overcome?” he asks. “These divisions are not inevitable, but we must find ways to respond to ensure the long-term health of our democratic institutions.

A panel discussion will follow his talk, featuring Jean Garrison, director of UW’s Office of Engagement and Outreach, and Jason McConnell, a UW assistant professor of political science.

UW’s Office of Engagement and Outreach; the UW College of Arts and Sciences; the UW School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies; and Sheridan College sponsor the event.

For more information, call the UW Office of Engagement and Outreach (307) 766-5202 or email engage@uwyo.edu.