
Dialogues for Democracy
A compelling speaker series featuring experts shaping U.S. politics, media and policymaking.
The Office of the University Provost is proud to lead initiatives, such as the Dialogues for Democracy forum, that support ASU’s role in advancing democracy and freedom of speech and expression.
Dialogues for Democracy
Join us this season for important conversations with the following featured speakers.
Tuesday, March 25
Susan Rice
Rice is an American diplomat, policy advisor, and public official. She served as the former director of the U.S. Domestic Policy Council, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and U.S. national security advisor. She will join host David Axelrod for a discussion on: The New World, abroad and at home.
Hosted by David Axelrod
Political strategist, CNN political commentator and former senior advisor to the President of the United States.
Tuesday, March 25
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
ASU Tempe campus
Memorial Union, Turquoise 220
Monday, April 7
Steve Kerr
Kerr is a nine-time NBA champion, winning five titles as a player and four in his current role as head coach of the Golden State Warriors. Named one of the 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History, Kerr also coached the U.S. national team. He will join host David Axelrod to share his lessons in leadership and how they can be applied.

Hosted by David Axelrod
Political strategist, CNN political commentator and former senior advisor to the President of the United States.
Monday, April 7
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
ASU Tempe campus
Walton Center for Planetary Health, Room 107
Tuesday, April 15
Robert O'Brien
O’Brien is an American attorney and former United States national security advisor who served during the first presidency of Donald Trump. He will join Ambassador Flake for a discussion on America's role in the world.

Hosted by Ambassador Jeff Flake
Politician, diplomat and former U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Flake served in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate representing Arizona.
Tuesday, April 15
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
ASU Tempe campus
Walton Center for Planetary Health, Room 107
Past events
Michael M. Crow
Nadine Strossen
Larry H. Summers
On Tuesday, March 4 ASU President Michael Crow was joined by former Harvard University president and former U.S. treasury secretary Larry Summers, and former American Civil Liberties Union president Nadine Strossen, for a panel discussion around free speech on American campuses. The panel was moderated by Doug Belkin of The Wall Street Journal.
John Anzalone
Tony Fabrizio
On Monday, March 3 John Anzalone, chief pollster for Joe Biden, and Tony Fabrizio, chief pollster for Donald Trump, joined host David Axelrod for a discussion recapping the 2024 presidential election.
Mark Cuban
Prominent investor on Shark Tank and former principal owner of the Dallas Mavericks.
On Wednesday, Feb. 26, he was joined by Jeff Flake for a discussion on how the government and private sectors can be partners in advancing entrepreneurship and supporting business development in the U.S.
Martin Baron
Baron is a Pulitzer Prize-winning, former executive editor of The Washington Post, whose leadership at The Boston Globe was portrayed in the Oscar-winning film Spotlight.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, he joined Axelrod for a conversation about the role of the news media in advancing freedom of speech.
ASU Center for Free Speech
ASU believes the Freedom of Speech is at the heart of public education. To foster our collective understanding about what freedom of speech means within the context of a democratic society and why it must be protected, the ASU Center for Free Speech is proud to present Dialogues for Democracy, an annual forum convening voices and leaders from throughout the university, across higher education and beyond. The forum will engage students, faculty and the broader community and bring in national speakers on free speech.