As climate change intensifies across the planet, attention is turning toward technologies that offer novel ways to decarbonize our economy and our atmosphere. These include options for capturing, storing, and reusing carbon, and geoengineering techniques that directly manipulate the Earth's climate and environment.

These methods may provide a critical boost to our attempts to achieve ambitious climate goals. Yet, these solutions are not without their critics, who warn about unforeseen environmental and social repercussions.

Watch this discussion regarding some of the most promising emerging climate technologies, the associated risks, and the urgency of these strategies within the scientific community.

With:

• William Berelson, PhD '85, Paxson H. Offield Professor in Coastal and Marine Systems and professor of Earth sciences, environmental studies and spatial sciences, USC Dornsife
• Anu Khan, entrepreneur in residence, Carbon180

Moderated by:
Joe Árvai, Dana and David Dornsife Professor of Psychology and Director, USC Wrigley Institute for Environment & Sustainability

Learn more about the Dornsife Dialogues and sign up for the next live event here.

Marking the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) 75th anniversary, USC Dornsife scholars examine the transatlantic alliance’s evolution from a Cold War bulwark to its current role. Is it time to strengthen, transform, or even retire it?

Our political science and global security scholars convened for a critical dialogue on NATO's relevance and future as the next U.S. presidential election approaches.

With:

• Robert English, associate professor of international relations, Slavic languages and literature and environmental studies, USC Dornsife
• Peter Westwick, professor of the practice of thematic option and history, USC Dornsife

Moderated by:

• Gregory Treverton, professor of the practice of international relations and spatial sciences, USC Dornsife; former chairperson, U.S. National Intelligence Council

Learn more about the Dornsife Dialogues and sign up for the next live event here.

Join us for a compelling discussion on the enduringly popular playwright, William Shakespeare. Four centuries after his final curtain call, his influence still resonates deeply in our culture, our language, and our understanding of human nature.

We'll explore the man behind the myth, the truths and misconceptions that have shaped his portrayal in popular culture, how race influences the interpretation of his plays, and the indelible mark his words have left on the English language

How did a child from a rural town rise to become the dominant figure of Elizabethan theater? What is it about his work that keeps him at the forefront of literary greatness and cultural relevance? And how might we use his plays to better understand our current moment?

Moderated by:
Andrew Stott, vice provost for academic programs and dean of the graduate school; professor of English, USC Dornsife; author, What Blest Genius? The Jubilee that Made Shakespeare

With:
Bruce Smith, Dean's Professor of English Emeritus, USC Dornsife; author, Phenomenal Shakespeare

Ian Smith, professor of English, USC Dornsife; author, Black Shakespeare: Reading and Misreading Race

Learn more about the Dornsife Dialogues and sign up for the next live event here.

In this age of constant connectivity, social media has become more than just a means of expressing ourselves and connecting with others. The powerful algorithms that underpin these platforms are shaping how we communicate with others, what information we take in, and our perceptions of events (and ourselves). Its pervasive presence has brought a maze of challenges that have impacted our mental well-being.

Join us for an engaging conversation regarding the intersection of social media and stress and learn valuable insights and actionable steps to achieve a more balanced and stress-resilient relationship with social media.

With:
Julie Albright '96, PhD '01, digital sociologist; lecturer, USC Dornsife and USC Viterbi

Ian Anderson, PhD ‘24; behavioral scientist, Caltech

Moderated by:
Jonas Kaplan, neuroscientist, associate professor of psychology, co-director, Dana and David Dornsife Cognitive Neuroimaging Center at USC Dornsife

Learn more about the Dornsife Dialogues and sign up for the next live event here.

In a groundbreaking shift, more voters now identify as independent than with any specific political party. This evolution is predominantly driven by millennials and Gen Z voters, who often prioritize issues over party allegiance. Many people also feel a growing disconnect or disillusionment with the traditional parties.

Join us for an enlightening discussion regarding the profound implications of this pivotal change. How could it redefine the political landscape and mold future campaigns? Is this the precursor to the emergence of new political entities?

Join our discussion with:

• Arnon Mishkin, director, FOX News Decision Desk; fellow, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future
• Lisa D. T. Rice, political strategist, keynote speaker, author
• Sara Sadhwani, PhD ’19, assistant professor of politics, Pomona College

Co-moderated by:

• Bob Shrum, director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future
• Mike Murphy, co-director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future

Learn more about the Dornsife Dialogues and sign up for the next live event here.

Dive deep into the shadows of cinema with us as we explore the captivating world of horror films. Originating from the haunting tales of the late 1800s, the horror genre has not only stood the test of time but has flourished, spawning billion-dollar franchises and passionate fan conventions. But beyond the spine-tingling suspense and heart-pounding scares, what deeper truths do these films unveil about our society?

Discover:

• The hidden allure: Why do audiences keep coming back for more?
• The mirror effect: How do horror movies reflect and respond to societal changes
• Cultural evolution: In what intriguing ways have these films influenced and even redefined societal norms?

With:

• Leo Braudy, University Professor; professor of English, USC Dornsife
• Rebekah McKendry, producer, director, writer; adjunct assistant professor, USC School of Cinematic Arts
• Anna Zlokovic '14, writer, director "Appendage"

Moderated by:
Karen Tongson, professor, gender & sexuality studies, English, and American studies & ethnicity, USC Dornsife

Learn more about the Dornsife Dialogues and sign up for the next live event here.

We hear a lot about how automation will reshape human life in the age of artificial intelligence. From revolutionary new techniques in health care to job losses in creative industries, our world may look radically different in the near future. Alongside these great transformations comes a great amount of anxiety about our place in this world.

We usually pay the most attention to the impact of AI on work, but what about political and social life? What does intellectual property look like when AI can generate new media? How will diverse communities and groups face the urgent need to reevaluate our relations with the tools we have created? How might governments and other political actors respond?

Join our live discussion for the answers to these questions – and yours – from our panel of experts.

With:
-Ziyaad Bhorat, Visiting Scholar at the Center on Science, Technology, and Public Life, USC Dornsife; Associate Director, USC Center on Generative AI and Society

-Jennifer Petersen, Associate Professor of Communication; Director of the Graduate Certificate in Science and Technology Studies, USC Annenberg

Moderated by:
Andrew Lakoff, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology; Director of the Center on Science, Technology, and Public Life, USC Dornsife

Learn more about the Dornsife Dialogues and sign up for the next live event here.

Peter Kuhn, a founding member of the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Biosciences, discusses breakthrough technology in the fight against cancer in the latest Dornsife Dialogues. Kuhn serves on President Biden's "cancer moonshot" initiative which is working to reduce the national death rate from cancer by 50%.

In this discussion with distinguished cancer researcher Amy Ross PhD ‘86, Kuhn shares the latest science and the future of early breast cancer detection using a simple blood draw. The simplicity of the blood draw with the sophistication of today’s understanding of breast cancer through advanced mathematics can bring confidence to the 70 million women in the U.S. who are at risk of breast cancer.

Learn how USC Dornsife is making a difference in the fight against cancer with:

Peter Kuhn, Dean’s Professor of Biological Sciences, USC Dornsife and cancer physicist. Learn more about his work.

Amy A. Ross PhD '86, cancer researcher (ret.), USC Board of Trustees member

Learn more about the Dornsife Dialogues and sign up for the next live event here.