All Past Events

Join CSPG to explore topics surrounding Congress, civil rights groups and minority representation.

Dave Zirin will join CSPG to discuss his new book, “The Kaepernick Effect”, with Professor Douglas Hartmann. The conversation will center around the impact of athletes in social justice movements.

Pollster Stan Greenberg shares his research regarding Trump voters and how the trends he finds will influence future U.S. elections.

Multidisciplinary artist Bobby Rogers along with award-winning poet Douglas Kearney discuss Rogers’ newest photography and how the medium can convey a myriad of messages.

Political consultants Rebecca Pearcey and Kirsten Kukowski offer insight on both major parties’ preparation for the 2022 elections.

Congressional experts Sarah Binder and Kathryn Pearson will break down the current state of affairs in Congress and the White House.

CSPG hosts a panel of three election administration professionals to discuss current and future policies to ensure that voter verification is accurate, accessible, equitable, and feasible.

Conversation with Harvard Professor Michael Chernew and Star Tribune healthcare reporter Chris Snowbeck about the health care innovations that have come from the COVID-19 pandemic

Panel on the impact of new state voting legislation on election integrity.

Independent music venues across the nation were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. What will it take for live music to return? Musician and writer Dessa joins Minnesota music entrepreneur Dayna Frank and Minnesota Public Radio’s arts reporter Euan Kerr.

Over the past few elections racially and ethnically diverse candidates have won elections and bring new perspectives to Minnesota city government. A panel of distinguished city officials discuss the shifts taking place in Minnesota city leadership.

This panel discussion focuses on the increased spending on federal and state elections in Minnesota, impacts on the Minnesota legislature, and reform proposals. UMN Poli Sci Associate Professor Kathryn Pearson presents a new report documenting the vast sums of money flooding Minnesota politics and the potential impacts on the legislature.

This webinar provides more information about the Policy Fellows program, offered by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance. The Policy Fellows program provides emerging and mid-career professionals a renowned public affairs leadership development experience.

Professor Frances Lee brings her fresh interpretation of Congress to the current Congressional battle over Joe Biden's liberal agenda.

Is capitalism broken? Former Best Buy Chairman and CEO Hubert Joly and Harvard Business School Professor Rebecca Henderson discuss capitalism's future in this virtual event.

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty joins this virtual event hosted by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance to make the case for changing the GOP's current direction. He argues that the winning path combines conservative principles and populism to modernize the Republican brand.

How will President Biden proceed administratively and legislatively to build on the ACA? Will advocates for the Public Option prevail and, if they fail, will they be pragmatic or stop any reform? How will health care providers and the larger health care industry respond? And, by the way, the Supreme Court will be deciding a lawsuit aimed at declaring the ACA unconstitutional—again. One of Washington’s shrewdest health policy observers, Len Nichols, joins the Center for the Policy and Governance in this virtual event.

This webinar covers key changes in absentee and mail voting last year, as well as in-person voting options like early voting and vote centers. How are states responding this year—staying the course, returning to previous norms, or fine-tuning their processes? The event is co-hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the Humphrey School's Certificate in Election Administration (CEA) program.

Black Lives Matter spurred protests around the US and the globe, mobilizing a rainbow coalition against police violence and racial disparities. But will it matter? And, if so, how? In this virtual event hosted by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Daniel Gillion makes the case that demonstrations do affect elected officials, shape policy, increase engagement, and motivate voter turnout.

Steve Schmidt first came to national prominence by working on Republican political campaigns, including those of President George W. Bush and Arizona Senator John McCain's 2008 run for president. Donald Trump's election as president prompted Schmidt to leave the Republican Party in 2018 and to found the Lincoln Project, which ran attack ads on Trump and Republican allies. Democratic strategist Justin Buoen and Professor Larry Jacobs join for this conversation with Schmidt.

The 2020 election demonstrated the durability of law, the courage of the free press, and the civic determination of Americans who organized and voted in record numbers. One of America's iconic observers of American public life—Kathleen Hall Jamieson—joins CSPG to talk about the state of American democracy and its future.

President Joe Biden entered the White House with dire news blasting around him. The coronavirus continues its rampage across America, and the economy is on its knees. The President's much-promised "unity" is being tested by opposition from Republicans and Democrats, who either want more progressive or moderate policies. What are President Biden's prospects? Washington sage Norm Ornstein joins us, as well as Former Vice President Walter Mondale; Professor Larry Jacobs moderates.

James Hohmann joins us the day before Joe Biden's inauguration to preview its organization and significance. Drawing on his experiences in Washington, he also discusses Donald Trump's likely impact on the Biden administration and Republican Party and previews the new president's prospects to advance his policy agenda.

The path to empowering Black people lies in the growth of Black equity, wealth, and capital. A growing number of feasible strategies offer a tangible path forward to create financial systems and structures that work equally well for everyone. Prof. Larry Jacobs moderates a conversation with Gary Cunningham, President and CEO of Prosperity Now.