For much of the 20th century, the United States’ universities were indisputably at the forefront of the creation of knowledge across the globe. Today, however, in an era of the reduction of public support for universities, contests over their political location, and calls for their fundamental reorganization, the US university faces challenges as never before. At the same time, strengthened and renewed educational institutions are appearing across Asia, challenging the dominance of the US University in research and teaching excellence without necessarily reproducing its commitments to security of employment and academic freedom. What is the future of the modern university in this emerging global context of international competition?

This conversation will feature Nicholas Dirks, President and CEO, New York Academy of Sciences, and Former Chancellor and Professor of History and Anthropology Emeritus, UC Berkeley; and William Kirby, T.M. Chang Professor of China Studies, Spangler Family Professor of Business Administration.

Please join us for a wide-ranging discussion of these and other themes arising from Kirby's new book, Empire of Ideas: Creating the Modern University from Germany to America to China.

This is an in-person event.