Free Speech Week

Free Speech Week will feature three student debates, a lecture by American Civil Liberties Union President Deborah Archer, and the inaugural Global Free Speech Summit, a two-day symposium with renowned national and international guests advancing efforts for free speech around the globe.   Read More

In August 2023, the university launched Dialogue Vanderbilt, its core initiative to bridge divides, reestablish a vibrant culture of civil discourse and free expression, and showcase experts from on campus and around the world, leading the charge to build more engaged citizens and communities.  Read More

In keeping with the Sesquicentennial spirit, we celebrate our past, present and future—from our important and long-standing function in the city of Nashville, to the holistic education and opportunities to innovate that our students receive from Immersion Vanderbilt, to our mastery of the cutting-edge technologies that will define our shared future. Read More

Vanderbilt celebrated its “bedrock principle” of free speech through a series of panels and discussions Oct. 10–17 during the university’s inaugural celebration of national Free Speech Week. Read More

Hosted by Chancellor Daniel Diermeier as part of the his Dialogue Vanderbilt initiative and Vanderbilt’s first-ever Free Speech Week, well-known journalist, editor and columnist Bret Stephens will join Samar Ali, research professor of political science and law, for a debate centered around the value of free expression, open debate and civil discourse through the lens of some of the most pressing issues we face today. There will be an audience Q&A at the end of the discussion. Read More

Join Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, Provost C. Cybele Raver and other university leaders for a conversation about the university with opportunities to ask questions and gain a greater understanding of Vanderbilt's priorities, including the Dialogue Vanderbilt initiative. Read More

As a part of Free Speech Week, the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy is hosting a Lunch and Learn to expand the dialogue of learning outside the classroom setting. The discussion will explore First Amendment issues here in Tennessee with American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee Director Kathy Sinback. Read More

Hosted by Vanderbilt Chancellor Diermeier, Bret Stephens, a well-known journalist, editor and columnist will join Samar Ali, research professor of political science and law, for a discussion centered around the value of free expression, open debate and civil discourse through the lens of some of the most pressing issues we face today. Read More

Jenn Carlson will lead a discussion on the shifting role of guns on college campuses. Dr. Carlson is a 2022 MacArthur Fellow and an NRA-certified gun instructor as well as an ethnographer of gun carriers, trainers and advocates. Read More

In association with the 2023 Symposium on AI, Free Speech and Human Rights and presented by The Future of Free Speech Project, this event will chart the past, present and future of the ethical and societal implications of AI, as told by academic and industry experts and undergraduate students. Read More

The Future of Free Speech Project, in partnership with Vanderbilt University, will host an event to explore the dynamic intersection of generative AI, free speech and human rights within the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence advancements. Read More

Vanderbilt will hold a series of high-profile events Oct. 10–17 in observance of the university’s first-ever campus-wide Free Speech Week, part of Chancellor Daniel Diermeier’s recently launched Dialogue Vanderbilt initiative. The event will bring high-profile guests to campus to discuss the current state of free expression and civil discourse. Read More

In a reaffirmation of its commitment to free expression, Vanderbilt University today launched Dialogue Vanderbilt. The initiative aims to provide a range of programs to students, faculty and the broader community to promote civil discourse and better understand and address political polarization. Read More