Unity
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WATCH: Unity Project to host ‘Upholding Democracy in the Age of the Big Lie’ with co-authors Major Garrett and David Becker
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy will host CBS Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett and David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, to discuss their book, The Big Truth: Upholding Democracy in the Age of the Big Lie, on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m. at the Scarritt Bennett Center. Read MoreJan 12, 2023
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WATCH: ‘Then and Now: Presiding in Polarized Times’ with Jon Meacham, Susan Glasser and Peter Baker hosted Dec. 7 by Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy
Bestselling authors Peter Baker and Susan Glasser will join Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian Jon Meacham for an evening of discussion Dec. 7 surrounding the legacy of the Trump presidency and the midterm elections’ potential impact on our country’s fractured politics. Read MoreNov 29, 2022
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Vanderbilt University Debate Team to host intercollegiate debate about election processes and voter turnout
With consequential midterm elections less than one month away, the Vanderbilt University Debate Team will host an intercollegiate debate this weekend on how to improve U.S. election processes and boost voter turnout. The event will be on Saturday, Oct. 15, at The Commons Center Multipurpose Room. Read MoreOct 11, 2022
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Vanderbilt Unity Index shows American political ‘unity’ stabilized
Americans’ general faith and trust in democracy has stabilized in the first half of 2022, remaining relatively flat through the second quarter, according to the most recent Vanderbilt Unity Index. Read MoreJul 14, 2022
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Diermeier speaks at Aspen Ideas Festival, emphasizes importance of free expression at universities
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier participated in a conversation titled “The Path Forward for Academic Freedom in Higher Ed” as part of the world-renowned Aspen Ideas Festival on June 29. The panel set out to explore the “twin ideals of open inquiry and free expression” as well as higher education’s unique role in advancing these forces. Read MoreJul 11, 2022
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First two episodes of ‘Unity Talks’ summer series now available
The first two episodes of the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy’s “Unity Talks” series are now available for viewing. In episode one, Arts and Science Dean John Geer speaks with New York Times national political correspondent Jonathan Martin, and in episode two, former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam speaks with Yuval Levin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Read MoreJun 30, 2022
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WATCH: ‘Border Wars: How Russia and Ukraine’s Conflict Could Impact the World’
Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy will host a panel discussion on the evolving crisis between Russia and Ukraine. The virtual event on Thursday, Feb. 24, is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Read MoreFeb 17, 2022
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WATCH: Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy hosts virtual discussion on new approaches to climate change
Vanderbilt Law School professor Michael Vandenbergh will discuss bipartisan efforts to address climate change and sustainability with environmental activist Benji Backer in a virtual event on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 12:30 p.m. hosted by the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy. Read MoreFeb 10, 2022
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Chancellor shares political science expertise with students in Unity and American Democracy course
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier spoke to students in the Unity and American Democracy course Nov. 30 and used his talk in part to discuss the fundamental purpose of universities: to teach students “not what to think, but how to think.” Read MoreDec 8, 2021
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Panel to explore why municipal governments seem more effective than national government
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy will host a virtual discussion with three former and current municipal leaders to talk about how local strategies can be effective at the national level. The event will stream Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 12:30 p.m. CT. Read MoreOct 25, 2021
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WATCH: Expert panel debates immigration, inclusion and who belongs in America
A group of Vanderbilt scholars with legal, historical and political expertise on immigration came together Oct. 19 to discuss the crisis around Haitian migrants at the southern U.S. border and the recent influx of Afghan refugees to the United States. Read MoreOct 20, 2021
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Author Sasha Issenberg discusses 25-year battle for same-sex marriage in U.S. during Vanderbilt visit
The contentious policy and political battles that led to legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States were highlighted in an in-person and virtual talk by journalist and author Sasha Issenberg at Sarratt Cinema on Oct. 11, marking the 33rd anniversary of National Coming Out Day. Read MoreOct 13, 2021
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Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy hosts immigration panel Oct. 19
“Immigration and Inclusion: Who Decides Who Belongs in America,” a panel of Vanderbilt history and legal scholars and political scientists, will discuss the evolving definition of “citizen” throughout the course of American history and the shift toward inclusiveness. The virtual event will be broadcast on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at noon CT. Read MoreOct 13, 2021
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Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy hosts bipartisan panel of congressional staffers for insider view on careers
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy hosted a virtual event, “The Hill Staffers Who Make Congress Go Round,” on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 12:30 p.m. CT. Read MoreSep 21, 2021
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Chancellor to host discussion on how 9/11 has changed America
In remembrance of the 20th anniversary of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy will host a virtual discussion, “9/11: Two Decades Later,” on Friday, Sept. 10, at noon CT. The event will feature faculty historians and legal scholars Jon Meacham, Samar Ali and Ganesh Sitaraman. Read MoreSep 7, 2021
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Aug. 18: Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy and VUMC present ‘Vaccine Hesitancy: The Politics of Public Health in Tennessee’
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy and Vanderbilt University Medical Center will host “Vaccine Hesitancy: The Politics of Public Health in Tennessee,” a virtual event, on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at noon CT. Read MoreAug 5, 2021
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Is the U.S. Congress broken? Longtime lawmaker gives insights and advice
U.S. Rep. David Price, who has represented the fourth district of North Carolina through seven White House administrations, shared insights about the changes he has witnessed in Congress during an online discussion with Vanderbilt political scientists Alan Wiseman and Larry Bartels on June 28. Read MoreJun 29, 2021
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Vanderbilt political scientists discuss shifts in U.S. Congress with longtime North Carolina Rep. David Price
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy will host a virtual discussion on Monday, June 28, at noon CT about the evolution of the U.S. Congress and how to find issues of common ground in a time of polarization. The discussion will feature current U.S. Rep. David Price and Vanderbilt political scientists Alan Wiseman and Larry Bartels. Registration is required. Read MoreJun 9, 2021
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On Unity: Beasley presents history of the president’s address to a joint session of Congress (VIDEO)
Presidential rhetoric expert Vanessa Beasley presents the history of the U.S. president's annual address to Congress—and what to expect in tonight's address. Read MoreApr 28, 2021
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Research Snapshot: Media consumption and political attentiveness data shed new light on political polarization in U.S.
Research Snapshot: Eunji Kim finds that politics have become more like sports than ever before: It is easier to watch partisan news when your political party is winning. Est. reading time: 75 seconds. Read MoreApr 8, 2021