2026 Event Series
Dialogue Vanderbilt’s 250 Conversations on America: Civil Discourse in Action is a yearlong series celebrating our nation鈥檚 250th anniversary and Vanderbilt鈥檚 enduring commitment to open dialogue.听听听
海角情
海角情 is gathering leaders and innovators, from all disciplines to participate in conversations across our Nashville and New York campuses to model civil discourse in action.听
These conversations will be real dialogue that moves beyond sound bites and performance to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time and brings curiosity and conversation back to the public square.听 Together, we will explore how listening, understanding and learning how to 鈥渄isagree鈥� and 鈥渁gree鈥� with nuance, evidence and civility can shape a stronger, more connected future.听听听
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November 4, 2026:
Biodiversity Day - Microbes and Medicine: Evolution of Parasite Virulence and Medication in Monarch Butterflies
Featured Speaker: , Samuel C. Dobbs Professor of Biology at Emory University
3:00PM at Vanderbilt University Stevenson Center, Building 4, Room 327, 1231 Stevenson Center Lane, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public.
In partnership with Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt.
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November 5, 2026:
Evolutionary Studies Biodiversity Day at Adventure Science Center
, Samuel C. Dobbs Professor of Biology at Emory University, to discuss his new book, .
Biodiversity-themed activities for families provided by Evolutionary Studies!
4:00PM at Adventure Science Center, 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public.
In partnership with Evolutionary Studies at Vanderbilt.
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November 5, 2026:
Behind the Lens: The Art of Storytelling
From Vanderbilt student to acclaimed Hollywood cinematographer, has helped shape the visual storytelling of hit series including Grey鈥檚 Anatomy and Bridgerton. Join her as she returns to Vanderbilt to share insights from her groundbreaking career and the creative vision behind some of television鈥檚 most recognizable productions.听Featured Speakers:听, Director of Photography听, Senior Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies of听5:00PM at Vanderbilt University Special Collections Library and University Archives, 1101 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN听This event is free and open to the public.听听 -
November 10-13, 2026:
An international symbol of peace, independence and reconciliation is coming to Nashville in November.听
, in partnership with the and the , is bringing a full-scale replica of the to the university鈥檚 campus. A weeklong series of events supporting the exhibition, many of which are open to members of the public, marks the climax of 鈥檚 250 Conversations on America series.
An interactive exhibit featuring the bell will be hosted in a special exhibition tent on Vanderbilt鈥檚 Library Lawn. The Nashville community is invited to visit the exhibit and learn more about the immense power and symbolism behind the bell - which was originally given by Americans to the people of West Germany in 1950.听
海角情 is the latest stop on the Freedom Bell鈥檚 tour, and the only university campus to hold the honor of hosting it.
9:00AM-4:00PM - Public Visiting Hours
Exhibit location is the Vanderbilt University Central Library Lawn, Freedom Bell Tent, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This exhibit is free and open to the public.
Presented by in partnership with the , the , and .
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November 11, 2026:
The Democracy of Song
The spiritual is arguably the purest American musical form. The roots of the spiritual are deep and wide, and its legacy extends into the 20th and 21st centuries, influencing nearly every modern musical style. We teach spirituals in schools, sing them in church, and perform them on the concert stage. But, who do these songs truly belong to 鈥� the people who wrote them? The people who sing them? The people who are moved by them? Join four prominent American choral conductors for a conversation about identity, culture, appropriation, and performance practice of Negro spirituals.听Featured Speakers:听, Professor of Choral Studies at Vanderbilt University鈥檚 Blair School of Music听, Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music at Belmont University听, Professor of Voice at Cumberland University and Tennessee State University; Founder and Director of the Harry T. Burleigh Spirituals Festival听, Artistic Director of the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale听6:00PM at Vanderbilt University Central Library Lawn, Freedom Bell Tent, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.听This event is free and open to the public.听听 -
November 12, 2026:
Freedom Under Pressure: What Does it Mean in America and Europe Today?
Join , Transatlantic Correspondent at , and , host of at , for a timely conversation on the meaning of freedom in the United States and Europe today.
Moderated by , President and CEO of the , the discussion will explore the evolving U.S.-German relationship, shared democratic values, and the political and social pressures shaping transatlantic cooperation.
听6:00PM at Vanderbilt University Central Library Lawn, Freedom Bell Tent, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.听This event is free and open to the public.听Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt in partnership with the .听 -
November 17, 2026:
Author and podcaster in conversation with veteran journalist for a timely discussion about the rapid rise of legalized sports betting and its consequences.听听6:00PM at Vanderbilt University Central Library, Community Room, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.听This event is free and open to the public.听Presented by Dialogue Vanderbilt.
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November 19, 2026:
in conversation with听to celebrate her new book, .
6:30PM at Vanderbilt Langford Auditorium, 2209 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
In partnership with the and .
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Shannon Meldon-Corney
Events Manager