From Antartica to Rikers Island: A fireside chat on climate change, prison reform, and police misconduct

She is studying the role of implicit bias in instances of police misconduct and the ways in which news coverage, cell phone videos and police body cameras illuminate how routine encounters can turn deadly.

Fieldwork in Post-Conflict Settings: A fireside chat about interviewing former combatants and activists in Nepal

About the Chat:

Appropriately responding to Human Rights abuses, civilian resistance, and global conflict were critically important to FDR’s time as President. Governmental abuse of power, coupled with horrific acts of violence, around the globe led to the United States’ involvement in World War Two and shaped global relations for the past 80 years. While the actors have changed, Human Rights violations continue to occur around the world. It is vital to understand how populations respond to these abuses in order to inform, comprehend, and predict actions and reactions around the globe. Come hear Christopher Shay discuss his field work in Nepal, and his research on the effectiveness of violent and non-violent resistance!

About the Speaker:

Christopher Shay is a doctoral student and research fellow at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He studies international relations and comparative politics, with a focus on political violence, insurgencies (both violent and nonviolent), and state repression. His dissertation research uses statistical evidence to show that governments (even newly established democracies) usually fail to alleviate human rights abuse after conflicts, and attempts to explain why some countries manage to break out of the ‘repression trap’. Aside from his doctoral research, Christopher manages the Nonviolent and Violent Campaigns and Outcomes (NAVCO) data project for Dr. Erica Chenoweth, and also provides analysis on India’s long-running Naxalite (Maoist) insurgency to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Prior to beginning his graduate studies, Christopher worked with the Student Conservation Association and the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a conservation educator, a fire ecology research assistant, and as a wildland firefighter. 

About the Talk:

At the beginning of his presidency Franklin Delano Roosevelt stated that “The definite policy of the United States from now on is one opposed to armed intervention.” By the end of his third term the US was fully involved in World War II. While many factors, including the rise of the Nazi party and an attack on US soil, attributed to this shift, it shows the range of policies and situations with which US leaders must interact. Since WWII the US has created and utilized a wide range of elite organizations to accomplish missions, both in and out of combat. This chat will provide a general overview of the Special Operations community and personal lessons learned from an Army Special Forces leader.

About the Speaker:

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M. Trujillo is an Army Special Forces officer who recently served as the Deputy Commander – Operations, 75th Ranger Regiment and rotated with the Regimental Commander to serve as the commander of a Joint Task Force in Afghanistan.  Previously, Kevin commanded 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group and deployed twice to serve as the Commander, Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel / Resolute Support.  Additionally, he has worked as a Strategist and Strategic Planner at the US Special Operations Command and the Joint Special Operations Command.  He has deployed numerous times to Afghanistan and Iraq serving as a Special Forces Operational Detachment – Alpha Commander, Special Forces Company Commander, Special Forces Battalion Commander and Future Operations Planner with the Special Operations Joint Task Force – Afghanistan.  Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the Virginia Military Institute and a master’s degree in defense analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School.  His research interests include defense readiness, national security and special operations in South and Central Asian states.  

Monday, 11/18 7 PM FDR Suite SIGN UP required 

Reservations available starting 1 a.m. on Monday 11/11

It was during a fireside chat that Franklin Delano Roosevelt urged the American people that “we must have more ships, more guns, more plans—more of everything. We must be the great arsenal of democracy.” These words sparked debate over America’s role in the world. A debate that still rages in the United States today, and is intensified by rapid increases in the technology of war. 

About the Chat:

Over the last 80 years America’s conflict has changed, but one thing has stayed the same: Americans are fighting overseas and leaders have to make decisions that put service member’s lives at risk. A major factor of war that has changed is the autonomy of the tools available to commanders. The use of drones have increased the options available to US decision makers while increasing the moral ambiguity that accompanies any decision. The Law of War principles of military necessity, unnecessary suffering, proportionality, distinction, and honor are all affected by the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and leaders are forced to decide between sending Service Members or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles when executing many combat missions. 

During this chat Lieutenant Colonel Shelton will discuss the role of drones in joint military operations as well as his personal challenges and struggles as a leader in the United States Air Force. 

About the Speaker:

Previously, Lieutenant Colonel Shelton was the Chief of Command and Control Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance for the first Joint Special Operations Air Component at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He has served in a variety of leadership positions including qualifications as an E-3 air battle manager instructor/evaluator, Chief Weapons and Tactics, Chief Standardization and Evaluations, Assistant Director of Operations, Director of Operations, and Director Joint Special Operations Air Detachment. Adam has flown in and deployed to numerous contingency operations some of which include Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Unified Protector, New Dawn, and Inherent Resolve. Adam holds a bachelor’s degree in computer management and information systems from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and two master’s degrees: military operational art from Air Command and Staff College and strategic studies from the College of Naval Command and Staff at the Naval War College. His research interests include multi-domain joint military operations, combatant command authorities/decision making, interagency and DOD integration, and DOD organizational design and adaptations.

Tuesday, 11/05 7 PM FDR Suite SIGN UP required 

Reservations available starting 1 a.m. on Monday 10/28 

“I agree with you. I want to do it. Now make me do it.”

-Franklin Delano Roosevelt

About the Chat: 

FDR made the above challenge to a group of advocates lobbying the him for change. Historians do not agree on the exact context in which this was said, but the message is clear. Everyone is responsible for advocating for change they want to see. 

Throughout her career Allyson Maynard-Gibson has embodied this challenge laid out by FDR. As a long-time advocate for women and children she has been at the forefront of social change. As financial services minister and attorney general of the Bahamas she was faced with systemic problems while in a position to encourage elected peers and leaders to institute sweeping reform. 

About the Speaker:

Allyson Maynard–Gibson served twice as attorney general and minister of legal affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Ms. Maynard–Gibson also served in the Bahamian Parliament, was the country’s first minister of financial services and investments, and is past president of the International Women’s Forum and the Leadership Foundation.  

Wednesday, 10/23 7 PM FDR Suite SIGN UP required 

Reservations available starting 1 a.m. on Monday 10/14