2024 Conference Program

Morning Remarks and Introduction

• Bharat Anand,  Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (CADM); Henry R. Byers Professor of Business Administration (HBS)
• Video Address from Alan Garber, President of Harvard University

Morning Plenary #1: “How Did We Get Here?”
The opening plenary will examine the historical context for current challenges to open inquiry on university campuses and consider how history can inform our path forward. Distinguished historian Jill Lepore will kick off this plenary by examining what has shaped the current landscape of dialogue and expression in education, followed by a discussion with the faculty panel moderated by Dean Rakesh Khurana.

• Jill Lepore, David Woods Kemper Professor of American History and Professor of Law (HLS)
• Amanda Claybaugh, Dean of Undergraduate Education; Samuel Zemurray Jr. and Doris Zemurray Stone Radcliffe Professor of English and Harvard College Professor
• Bernard Chang, Dean for Medical Education and Professor of Neurology (HMS)
• Matthew Weinzierl, Joseph and Jacqueline Elbling Professor of Business Administration, Senior Associate Dean, Chair, MBA Program (HBS)
• Moderated by: Rakesh Khurana, Dean of Harvard College; Marvin Bower Professor of Leadership Development (HBS); Professor of sociology and organizational behavior (FAS)

Morning Plenary #2: “What Would You Do?”
This interactive plenary session will examine techniques for promoting classroom dialogue by featuring experienced teachers who will engage audience participants on how best to handle classroom scenarios involving difficult conversations. Moderated by Vice Provost Bharat Anand, the session will use brief cases to explore real-life dilemmas where the stakes are high and the answers are not always clear. Whether it’s addressing controversial topics, managing student disagreements, or navigating institutional pressures, the panelists will reflect on strategies for fostering constructive dialogue in even the most difficult situations.

• Ned Hall, Director of Undergraduate Studies; Norman E. Vuilleumier Professor of Philosophy (FAS)
• Meira Levinson, Juliana W. and William Foss Thompson Professor of Education and Society (HGSE)
• Jeannie Suk Gersen, John H. Watson, Jr. Professor of Law (HLS)
• Moderated by: Bharat Anand, Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (CADM); Henry R. Byers Professor of Business Administration (HBS)

Lunch and networking
Eat, refresh, and participate in an interactive networking activity during this lunch hour.

Afternoon Plenary: “Where Does Harvard Go From Here?”
As Harvard looks to the future, how can it lead the way in promoting open dialogue and inquiry, and reshape academic discourse? In this plenary, Professors Eric Beerbohm and Tomiko Brown-Nagin will discuss the work of the University Task Force on Open Inquiry and Constructive Dialogue, and Professor Erica Chenoweth will share the efforts that have been underway at the Harvard Kennedy School. Moderated by Provost John Manning, this session will tackle the pressing question of what Harvard can do to foster open inquiry, equipping students and faculty alike to engage with diverse perspectives in and beyond our classrooms.

• Eric Beerbohm, Professor of Government and Director of the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics (FAS)
• Tomiko Brown-Nagin, Dean of Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Professor of History, and Daniel P.S. Paul Professor of Constitutional Law at Harvard Law School
• Erica Chenoweth, Frank Stanton Professor of the First Amendment (HKS)
• Moderated by: John Manning, Provost of Harvard University