The ASU community is invited to attend
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
The spring 2025 season featured a dynamic lineup of leaders from politics, business, journalism, education and professional sports — a diverse range of voices and viewpoints that make this speaker series more relevant than ever.
Please enjoy the recordings featuring this year's speakers and join us again next season for another exciting line-up. Special thanks to David Axelrod and Ambassador Jeff Flake for hosting such an important series.
Robert O'Brien
On Tuesday, April 15, American attorney and former national security adviser Robert O'Brien joined host Ambassador Jeff Flake for a discussion on America’s role in the world. With experience across three administrations — Presidents George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump — O’Brien brings a unique perspective on U.S. foreign policy in a shifting world.
Steve Kerr
On Monday, April 7 Steve Kerr, nine-time NBA champion and current head coach of the Golden State Warriors, joined host David Axelrod, for a discussion on the leadership lessons he's been taught from basketball and life.
Susan Rice
On Tuesday, March 25 Susan Rice, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, director of the U.S. Domestic Policy Council, and U.S. national security advisor, joined David Axelrod for a discussion on The New World: Abroad and At Home.
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.
Through this forum, we will welcome many voices to engage in open, intensive and thoughtful dialogue about the place of free speech in higher education and in our democracy
Nancy GonzalesASU Executive Vice President and University Provost
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.