Overview
The UCLA Luskin Lecture Series enhances public discourse on topics relevant to the betterment of society. The Series features renowned public intellectuals, bringing together scholars as well as national and local leaders to address society’s most pressing problems. Lectures encourage interactive, lively discourse across traditional divides between the worlds of research, policy and practice. The Series demonstrates UCLA Luskin’s commitment to encouraging innovative breakthroughs and creative solutions to formidable public policy challenges.
2025-2026 Luskin Lectures
Reexamining the “Nation of Immigrants”: The Politics of ICE Enforcement
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Featured Speaker: Attorney General Rob Bonta
With the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) arrests and detentions surging, California’s legislative leadership offers critical lessons on safeguarding rights and rebuilding trust.
Black Joy Unfiltered: A Conversation with Michael Harriot and Michael Lens; Moderated by Safiya Noble
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Featured Speakers: Michael Harriot, Michael Lens, and Safiya Noble (moderator)
Through humor, storytelling, and research-driven insight, the conversation will explore how shifting economic and political conditions shape Black communities—while also highlighting the creativity, fortitude, and enduring hope that carry us through.
Protecting Democracy and the 2025 Redistricting Battles
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Featured Speaker: Secretary Xavier Becerra
Former California Attorney General and Secretary of HHS, Xavier Becerra will deliver remarks about protecting and expanding democracy in 2025.
2025
Mar. 20, 2025, Defining LA’s Future: The Collision of Federal Politics and Local Realities
Apr. 28, 2025, Lessons in Leading Mission-Based Innovation in Transportation: Zero Fatalities, Zero Pollution, and Zero Disparities
May 20, 2025, Luskin Lecture on the Ongoing Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality
Oct. 28, 2025, Protecting Democracy and the 2025 Redistricting Battles
2024
Feb. 8, 2024, Resisting the ‘New McCarthyism’ on College Campuses and Beyond
Mar. 7, 2024, The Power of Lived Experiences
May 9, 2024, Building Up Communities of Color
2023
Feb. 15, 2023, Housing Inequality Is So Entrenched It Could Spark a Movement
Feb. 28, 2023, The Past, Present and Future of Transportation Access
Apr. 27, 2023, Shining a Light on Hidden Corners of Environmental Injustice
May, 3, 2023, L.A. County Supervisor Advocates ‘Poverty Disruption’ at Luskin Lecture
Oct. 19, 2023, Tapping Into the Inner Strength of Black Girls
2022
Apr. 4, 2022, Insights From an Environmental Pioneer
Apr. 7, 2022, A Push to Make Voting Both a Right and Requirement
May 12, 2022, Connecting the Dots on Climate Change
Nov. 3, 2022, Kal Penn on Working for Change in Hollywood and Politics
2021
Mar. 9, 2021, How the Weinstein Scandal Ignited a Movement
2020
Jan. 15, 2020, Seeking Unity in a Time of Dissension
Feb. 11, 2020, Taking Aim at the Cult of the Gun
Oct. 21, 2020, Conservatives Make Their Case Against Donald Trump
Nov. 10, 2020, UCLA Alumna Neera Tanden Delivers Post-Election Analysis at Virtual Luskin Lecture
2019
Mar. 5, 2019, “Queer Care: LGBTP Youth in Child Welfare”
Apr. 23, 2019, “Social Justice and Public Space: Propositions and Problems”
May 1, 2019, “Just Urban Design: Un-Walling Citizenship”
May 14, 2019, Charting the Rise of Latino Empowerment
Oct. 10, 2019, Face to Face With Would-Be Presidents
Oct. 17, 2019, A ‘New Day’ for Asian American Women in Arts and Media
Nov. 7, 2019, How America Became ‘the World’s Largest Jailer’
2018
Mar. 5, 2018, “A Conversation with Chelsea Manning”
Apr. 26-27, 2018, “Black, Brown, and Powerful: Freedom Dreams in Unequal Cities”
Oct. 9, 2018, Jorge Ramos Presentation of the UCLA Medal
2017
Feb. 7 2017, “Disrupt Aging” featuring Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP
Apr. 28-30, 2017, “Flash Point 2017”
May 25, 2017, “Do Words Matter? Journalism, Communication and Alternative Truth”
Fall 2017: Off the Table
2016
Jan. 12, 2016, “The Paris Agreement: An Agreement for Humanity” A Conversation with Mary Robinson
Feb. 5, 2016, “The Audacity of Despair” A Conversation with David Simon
2015
Mar. 30, 2015, “A Conversation with Leon Panetta”
Apr. 14, 2015, “The Role of Arts & Culture in Public Life”
May 15, 2015, “A Conversation with U.S. Transportation Sec. Anthony Foxx”
2014
Jan. 29, 2014, “A Conversation with Sec. Madeleine Albright”
Oct. 21, 2014, “American Winter: Millions of Americans Still Left Out in the Cold”: A Documentary Screening and Discussion
Dec. 4, 2014, “Lessons from Little Rock: A Conversation with Terrence Roberts”
2013
Jan. 23, 2013, Campaigns Matter! With former Governor Howard Dean
Feb. 28, 2013, Change Can Come with New York City Commissioner of Transportation Janette Sadik-Khan
Mar. 21, 2013, The Future of Aging in America: A Conversation with A. Barry Rand, CEO of AARP
Nov. 7, 2013, “Policing: Where We Have Been, Where We Are & Where We Are Going” with former LAPD Chief William J. Bratton
Dec. 4, 2013, A Conversation with Marian Wright Edelman
2012
Feb. 16, 2012, Conversation with Charles Ogletree
Oct. 17, 2012, Sea Change or More of the Same? Looking Beyond Nov. 6
Photos from Previous Luskin Lectures
