Unity Project

The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy recently conducted a national poll to gauge Americans’ opinions on topics related to institutions of higher education, including their confidence in those institutions, their current relevance, federal policies targeting them and the principle of neutrality. The results indicate that, despite frequent coverage of the escalating charges and accusations against institutions of higher education, Americans’ have confidence in them — and that confidence is growing. Further, Americans believe colleges and universities have a positive effect on the state of the country.  Read More

Vanderbilt community members interested in expanding their intercultural competency and learning how to better engage across and within differences are encouraged to sign up to be part of the Vanderbilt Unity Lab’s spring 2025 cohort. Participation in this research is open to all Vanderbilt faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students and postdocs. 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

James Patterson has published over 400 titles and sold more than 425 million copies of his books, but he first gained the confidence to pursue a career in writing while working toward a graduate degree at Vanderbilt. Patterson, who earned his master’s in English from the university in 1970, discussed his writing process, prolific career, the value of collaboration, and his support for librarians and reading in a wide-ranging conversation moderated by former NBC News anchor John M. Seigenthaler. Read More

Al-Marayati and Samar Ali, Unity Project co-chair, will explore the shared experiences of Muslim and Arab Americans and the ongoing crisis in Gaza in a timely and insightful conversation at noon on Monday, April 22, at the John Seigenthaler Center. This in-person event is limited to Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff members; you must register using your Vanderbilt email address. Read More

A conversation between Oksana Markarova, Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, and Morgan Ortagus, former spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, will be Tuesday, March 19, at 4 p.m. CT at the John Seigenthaler Center. Markarova’s participation will provide attendees with an invaluable opportunity to learn about Ukraine’s challenges and geopolitical stance.   Read More

David Brooks, an internationally acclaimed journalist whose work has shaped timely conversations around controversial and complex issues, will receive Vanderbilt University’s prestigious Nichols-Chancellor’s Medal when he speaks at the university’s 2024 Commencement activities. Brooks’ Graduates Day address will be on May 9 at 11 a.m. on The Commons Lawn. Read More

Dialogue Vanderbilt continued its mission of fostering meaningful conversations with its second event in its series which aims to cultivate open discussions about faith and how it influences people dealing with pressing societal issues. The discussion featured Maha Elgenaidi, founder of the Islamic Networks Group, in conversation with Vanderbilt University Divinity School Dean Yolanda Pierce.  Read More

On Tuesday, Feb. 6, former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney will share her views on the state of American democracy and the presidency, as well as her first-hand perspective on the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and the ensuing Congressional investigation, in a compelling, exclusive conversation with Jon Meacham, Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Chair, Distinguished Visiting Professor of Political Science and Pulitzer Prize–winning historian. Read More

Americans overwhelmingly feel that their political systems do not represent them, including compromise on abortion, and they are not confident the American political system accurately reflects their will, according to the latest quarterly Vanderbilt Unity Poll measuring Americans’ unity and beliefs on government and democracy. Read More

Rabbi David Wolpe, whom Newsweek called “the most influential rabbi in America,” will visit Vanderbilt, joining Divinity School Dean Yolanda Pierce for a fireside conversation centered around Vanderbilt’s commitment to free expression, constructive dialogue and mutual respect. The free event, which is a part of the Dialogue Vanderbilt initiative, is open to Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff and will be at 5 p.m., Jan. 18; registration is required. Read More

A feature program about The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy will make its Nashville Public Television debut on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 8:30 p.m. CT and will be available afterward on the PBS app. Directly following the premiere, at 9:30 p.m., Vanderbilt professor John Geer and Unity Project co-chairs Bill Haslam and Samar Ali will discuss what they’ve learned in the two years since the project’s inception.  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

Vanderbilt community members interested in expanding their intercultural competency and learning how to better engage across and within differences are encouraged to sign up to be part of the Vanderbilt Unity Lab’s first training cohort.    Read More

Illustrations by Gary Bates From the Civil War to the battle over civil rights, the United States has seen levels of conflict in the past that have threatened to tear the country apart. But watching the violent attack on the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, Professor of Political Science… Read More