Discussions, debates, and discovery.

Learn about our upcoming events featuring thoughtful discussions, Firing Line debates, in-depth seminars, and much more. Recordings of past events are also available.

Upcoming Events

C. S. Lewis and the Future of Being Human

Professor Michael Dauphinais of Ave Maria University will lead a spring break seminar on the writings and thought of C. S. Lewis.

Dinner Seminar with Law Professor Kate Stith

Buckley Fellows are invited to a private dinner seminar with Lafayette S. Foster Professor of Law Kate Stith.

Social Justice, Political Ethics and the Future of the Public/Private Sector Relationship with Jason Kaune

Buckley Fellows are invited to a dinner seminar with Yale School of Management Lecturer in the Practice of Management Jason Kaune

Luxury Beliefs Are Status Symbols with Rob Henderson

On April 11, join Rob Henderson '18 for a discussion of "luxury beliefs," his path from foster care to Yale, and his new book, "Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Cla...

Why Journalism is Falling Apart and Taking Liberalism With It with James Bennet

On Tuesday, April 16, former New York Times editor James Bennet to discuss Why Journalism is Falling Apart and Taking Liberalism With It.

“My favorite experience was the Disinvitation Dinner in NYC. This was what opened my eyes to the essence of the Buckley Institute in the first place.”

— Noah Riley ’25

“I actually have sorority friends who are super liberal but were really excited to come to the Ted Cruz event. And I think that is an exciting part of Buckley, that you can just get people who are interested in politics, liberal or moderate, to just have a place to actually hear these ideas that I never heard before.”

— Julia Zrihen ’24

“The Lincoln seminar was really interesting, and I feel like I’ve appreciated it more as time has passed.”

— Manav Singh’ 25

“I saw these Buckley Program speakers coming through and they clearly represent a totally different worldview. I would just go to these talks and I would meet these incredibly thoughtful people who would be able to defend positions that I had never heard really defended properly before.”

— Alex Hu ’23

“The Buckley Program’s willingness to invite speakers with a variety of viewpoints, even if they identify with the same political party, is intellectually valuable… These types of conversations are helpful for me to construct my own opinions and apply them to the real world.”

— Yale Student’ 25

“It was at the Buckley Program that I found the persuasive and thoughtful defenders of conservative positions. I didn’t get that elsewhere on campus.”

— Alex Hu ’23

“As a liberal, I find it essential to hear counterarguments in a space where they are protected and not shut down by the Yale community immediately, even if I rarely end up changing my mind.

— Yale Student ’24

“The exposure I’ve had to the issue because of Buckley opportunities—a summer internship, talks with leading politicians such as Governor Chris Sununu, and dinners with heterodox thinkers like Bari Weiss, to name a few—has helped me find and become more confident in my voice.”

— Libby Snowden ’24

“I think that the overall intellectual and political climate on campus is great, but this is clearly the result of the presence of the Buckley Institute and its programing. It serves as a reminder of the diversity of political and social viewpoints and absolutely encourages debate and discussion on campus.”

— Felse Kyle ’26

Our Events

Conferences

The Buckley Institute sponsors an annual conference each fall featuring panel discussions and a gala dinner. These events attract hundreds of students, faculty, alumni, and other members of the community.

Disinvitation Dinners

The phenomenon of disinviting a speaker from campus or creating such a ruckus during the speech that someone's speech is effectively quashed is one of the most virulent assaults on free speech on college campuses. In 2015, the Buckley Institute decided to turn that practice on its head and instead invite the disinvited to speak in a place of honor. Our annual Disinvitation Dinner has become a favorite event for Buckley Institute supporters, students, and new friends.

Firing Line Debates

The Firing Line Debate Series seeks to model thoughtful and respectful discourse across political lines by bringing in experts with opposing views to debate a wide variety of policy and political topics.

Seminars

As part of our effort to promote thoughtful discussion, the Buckley Institute sponsors seminars on a wide range of topics. We offer these seminars throughout the academic year.

Speaker Series

Throughout the academic year, the Buckley Institute produces a lecture series, free and open to the public, that brings to the Yale campus notable intellectual leaders, politicians, and professionals from across the disciplines.