Tuesdays in the Toyota
The Baker School is pleased to announce our Fall 2023 event lineup – six Tuesday evening programs in the Toyota Auditorium at 1640 Cumberland Avenue.
September 5, 2023
A Conversation on the Future of Nuclear Energy in the United States, part of the Distinguished Energy & Environment Lecture Series.
In recent polling, Tennesseans overwhelmingly favor nuclear technology for energy production, and states like Tennessee are promoting nuclear power as a path to cleaner energy production. Still, nuclear sources produce only 20 percent of electricity generated in the U.S. How soon could we expect a substantial expansion in nuclear energy production, including small modular reactors? Panelists from UT, ORNL, and TVA will take the podium at the Baker School to address the technical, economic, public perception, and regulatory hurdles that will shape the future of nuclear energy in the United States.
Panelists:
- Jamie Coble – University of Tennessee Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering
- Scott Hunnewell – Tennessee Valley Authority Vice President of the Nuclear Program
- Andrew Nelson – Oak Ridge National Laboratory Section Head for Nuclear Fuel Development
September 12, 2023
Land Use Policy, the Missing Middle, and Knoxville’s Housing Challenge, a part of the Public Square Series.
As in many metro areas, the availability and affordability of housing in Knoxville have eroded substantially. Strong population and economic growth, alongside pandemic-specific forces, have altered the dynamics of our housing market, and a typical home value has increased 65 percent in the Knoxville metro area since 2019. Can changes in land use and zoning policies provide a solution? Panelists from local government and the private sector will explore the opportunities and challenges presented by the proposed solutions to our housing crisis as part of the Baker School’s Public Square Series.
Panelists:
- Amy Brooks –Knoxville/Knox County Planning Executive Director
- Hancen Sale –East Tennessee Realtors, Government Affairs and Policy Director
- Amy Midis –Knoxville/Knox County Planning Commissioner
September 19, 2023
The Declaration of Independence Today: Why an Old Text Still Serves Us Now, a Constitution Day event sponsored by the IAC.
The Institute of American Civics welcomes Harvard University professor, acclaimed author and democracy expert, and Washington Post columnist Danielle Allen for a discussion of the meaning of the Declaration of Independence for our lives today. Allen, a member of Institute’s Board of Fellows, will grapple with the Constitution’s key contradictions, liberating some citizens while subjugating others, while also observing its key role in establishing equality, one of American democracy’s key tenets.
September 26, 2023
On Ukraine, the Pro-Western Actor in Eastern Europe, part of the Ashe Lecture Series.
No matter the military outcome, Ukraine will have been transformed by a war with Russia that began 18 months ago. Former Ambassador of Poland to Ukraine, Kenya, and NATO, Marek Ziolkowski, will explore Ukraine’s role in Europe and its relationship with other Eastern European countries, including Poland, both historically and in the current period. As a guest of the Ashe Lecture Series, the ambassador will assess the opportunities for Ukraine to establish its own national security in a post-war era, and the prospects for a Russian reconciliation with its East European neighbors.
October 3, 2023
America’s youth are struggling. In the face of low academic performance, weak mental health, and a decline in college-going, especially among men, public policy for America’s youth is a priority across the country. But can government affect what really ails youth and their families? Featuring University of Maryland professor Melissa Kearney and Richard Reeves, President of the American Institute for Boys and Men, alongside hosts former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Baker School Dean Marianne Wanamaker.
Guests:
- Melissa Kearney – University of Maryland Professor of Economics and Director of the Aspen Economic Strategy Group
- Richard Reeves – President of the American Institute for Boys and Men and author of Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It.
October 17, 2023
How Disinformation and News Silos Distort Thinking on National Security & Foreign Policy, part of the National Security Distinguished Lecture Series.
Disinformation and news silos are exacerbating the poisonous political – and public – rhetoric that has infected even the relatively bipartisan sphere of national security and foreign policy. Viola Gienger, Washington Senior Editor of Just Security, will explore how the news environment and American society got to this point and where the trends seem to be going, including with the advent of artificial intelligence. Gienger will also address how civic and political leaders, the news media, and Americans can return to having civil and constructive discussions about national security and foreign policy.
