As part of its free public programming, Stanford Continuing Studies is proud to present the second annual Reimagining Democracy, a weekly speaker series produced with the Office of Community Engagement and the Stanford Democracy Hub, featuring leading scholars from centers and initiatives across campus that include:

Center for Revitalizing American Institutions (RAI); Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL); ePluribus Stanford Initiative; Freeman Spogli Institution for International Studies; Hoover Institution; Stanford Center for Law and History; Stanford Civic, Liberal, and Global Education (COLLEGE) Program; Stanford Constitutional Law Center; Stanford Journalism Program; Stanford Civics Initiative; Stanford Constitutional Law Center

This six-part series, hosted by Dean Debra Satz and Professor Larry Diamond, brings together leading Stanford scholars to help us understand the moment: from the questions we’re asking ourselves about democratic decline to the ideas we have for democratic resilience and restoration.

Schedule & Speakers

Session 1: Democracy in Crisis?
October 7, 2025

• Francis Fukuyama, Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Director of the Ford Dorsey Master's in International Policy, and Professor, by courtesy, of Political Science​

Session 2: Constitutional Crisis?
October 14, 2025

• Bernadette Meyler, Carl and Sheila Spaeth Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Research and Intellectual Life and Professor, by courtesy, of English and of Comparative Literature
• Jud Campbell, Professor of Law and Helen L. Crocker Faculty Scholar, Stanford Law School 

Session 3: Media in Crisis?
October 21, 2025

• James T. Hamilton, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Hearst Professor of Communication Director, Stanford Journalism Program
• Janine Zacharia, Lecturer, Communication

Session 4: Restoring Our Political Parties
October 28, 2025

• Didi Kuo, Center Fellow at the Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Studies

Session 5: Restoring the Civic Purpose of Higher Education
November 4, 2025

• Dan Edelstein, William H. Bonsall Professor of French and Professor, by courtesy, of History and of Political Science

Session 6: Restoring Faith in Our American Institutions
November 11, 2025

• Condoleezza Rice, Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution and the Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy