What is the nature of the vast part of China’s penal system that has long been dedicated to extra-judicial detention, imprisonment, and compulsory “forced labor” in the PRC? What sort of effects did this system have on its victims, their families, friendships, marriages, and communities in terms of physical, psychological and social damage? Finally, what will the lingering effects be of these many decades of abuse against society and the body politic? Tune into this discussion on "Inside China's Secret Prisons: An Undercover Exposé and its Lasting Legacy" from Monday, September 28, 2026 from 4:00-5:30 pm PT in the Shultz Auditorium, George P. Shultz Building.

The Alliance for Civics in the Academy held "What's New in Civics for 2026? " with Jenna Silber Storey, William Howell, and Roosevelt Montas on September 10, 2026, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. PT.

To inaugurate the second season of Civics in the Academy, we explore some of the new civics-related programs emerging across American institutions of higher education. ACA Executive Committee member Jenna Storey talks with Roosevelt Montas (Chang Chavkin Center on Liberal Education and Civic Life, Bard College) and William Howell (School of Government and Policy, Johns Hopkins University) about their respective endeavors and assesses with them the broader movement to strengthen civic education in higher education.

The Hoover Institution Center for Revitalizing American Institutions on Thursday, May 14, from 4:00 to 4:50 PM PT in Hauck Auditorium held a panel discussion on The Peril and Promise of Local Journalism in American Democracy.

News media have undergone massive change in recent decades. A variety of new information platforms have emerged, while traditional news outlets have at times struggled to make the transition into a digital-native era. These developments have been particularly acute at the local level, where many Americans now live in “news deserts.” Our eminent panelists discuss how these developments have fundamentally altered American politics, including regional disparities in representation, the accountability of government officials, and electoral campaigns. Additionally, we consider how the changes have shaped journalists’ responsibilities and media innovations.