2024 U.S. Elections Forum Series
Power, Politics, and Our Democracy
UC Santa Cruz is excited to share our U.S. Elections Forum Series to provide a platform for deep conversations about our quickly changing and polarized democracy, and consider how to participate in and help shape our futures. How do power, politics, and the media landscape interact, disrupt, and reinforce one another? Join the conversation with our scholars and national thought leaders to learn more about how to think critically about our political processes and the nature of our democracy. There are six events in the series, all of them are offered online via Zoom, and three events have an in-person option. More information listed below. Events are free and open to the public.
Co-sponsored by: Institute for Social Transformation, Merrill College, The Humanities Institute, Science and Justice Research Center, Politics Department Democratic Discourse and Engagement Initiative, Kresge College, John R. Lewis College, and College Nine.
Wed., October 2 at 7 p.m.
Navigating the Media Landscape: Critical Media Literacy in the 2024 Elections
Online via Zoom and organized by Merrill College
Event description
As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election approaches, the media landscape is more complex and influential than ever. This virtual panel brings together leading scholars and practitioners in critical media literacy to engage students and the public on the importance of analyzing, evaluating, and understanding the media’s role in shaping public perception and political discourse. The discussion will explore strategies for identifying bias, misinformation, and propaganda in news coverage while also empowering students and community members to become informed and active participants in democratic processes. Join us for an insightful conversation that will provide essential tools for navigating the media landscape during this pivotal election season.
Moderators:
- Elizabeth Beaumont, Associate Professor of Politics and Legal Studies (UCSC)
- Kayson Tang, Undergraduate Class of Merrill College ’26 (UCSC)
Speakers:
- Nolan Higdon, Lecturer, Merrill College (UCSC)
- Jeff Share, Lecturer, School of Education and Information Studies (UCLA)
- Roberto de Roock, Associate Professor of Learning Sciences and Technology (UCSC)
- Daisy Martin, Founding Director of The History & Civics Project (UCSC)
Wed., October 9 at 7 p.m.
Identity in Focus: Media Representations and the 2024 Presidential Election
Online via Zoom and organized by Merrill College
Event description
In the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, the media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of identity, including race, gender, class, and ethnicity. This virtual panel features critical media literacy scholars and practitioners who will discuss how media representations of identity influence political narratives and voter behavior. The panelists will share insights into how media can reinforce stereotypes or challenge existing power structures and participants will learn strategies for critically engaging with media content. The panel will provide a deeper understanding of the intersection between media, identity, and politics in the context of a high-stakes election year.
Moderator:
- Nolan Higdon Lecturer, Merrill College (UCSC)
- Kayson Tang, Undergraduate Class of Merrill College ’26 (UCSC)
Speakers:
- Allison Butler, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Media Literacy Certificate Program in the Department of Communication (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)
- Nicholas Baham, Professor of Ethnic Studies (California State University, East Bay)
- Andy Lee Roth, Associate Director (Project Censored)
- Steve Macek, Professor of Communication and Media Studies (North Central College)
Thurs., October 10 at 7 p.m.
U.S. Elections and Democracy in Deeply Polarized Times: What are the Stakes and Opportunities?
Online via Zoom or in-person at the UCSC University Center Alumni Room
Event description
2024 is another critical year for elections and democracy in the U.S., and this roundtable will consider some of the broader issues at stake. The upcoming elections provide opportunities to shape the future direction of the U.S. and California on various issues, including immigration, reproductive rights, economic policy, job creation, policing, and climate change. Join UCSC professors for an interactive discussion on the conditions and debates surrounding voters and institutions and what concerns are being raised about our constitutional democracy. This discussion will dive into representative politics and ballot initiatives and how toxic polarization, political distrust, and negative views affect progress from the presidency to Congress and the Supreme Court.
Moderator:
- Chris Benner, Director of the Institute for Social Transformation (UCSC)
Speakers:
- Elizabeth Beaumont, Associate Professor of Politics and Legal Studies (UCSC)
- Larry Gerston, Lecturer, Politics (UCSC) and Professor Emeritus (SJSU)
- Dan Wirls, Professor of Politics (UCSC)
- Kira Tait, Assistant Professor of Politics and Legal Studies (UCSC)
- Anjuli Verma, Assistant Professor of Politics and Legal Studies (UCSC)
Tues., October 15 at 5:30 p.m.
Moving Money and Moving Power: Philanthropy Isn’t Neutral
Online via Zoom or in-person at the UCSC Cultural Center at Merrill
Event description
Join Carmen Rojas, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Marguerite Casey Foundation, as she explores the role of philanthropy to impact economic and social power. The central vision of the Marguerite Casey Foundation is to work towards a country where our government prioritizes the needs of excluded and underrepresented people, families, and communities. Discover how strategic grantmaking and values-aligned endowment management can drive a vision for a more inclusive government that prioritizes the well-being of all by safeguarding our natural resources, educational institutions, and essential infrastructure. Carmen Rojas is a UCSC politics alum and her talk is part of the John R. Lewis and College 9 Undeclared Scholars Program Alumni Speaker Series: Explore, Inspire, Excite: Alumni Stories of Making a Meaningful Life.
Moderator:
- Chris Benner, Director of the Institute for Social Transformation (UCSC)
Speaker:
- Carmen Rojas, President & CEO (Marguerite Casey Foundation)
Tues., October 22 at 7 p.m.
Engaging Digital Democracy: Tools to recognize political dis- and mis-information
Online via Zoom or in-person at the UCSC Cultural Center at Merrill
Event description
Learn to decipher credible online information with Sylvanna Falcón from the UCSC Human Rights Investigations Lab for the Americas who will be in conversation with Sally Lehrman from the Trust Project. Their research helps to address concerns about online information integrity, including fake news, voter suppression, and how to effectively determine useful standards for lawyers, journalists, and the public to participate in judicious and healthy democratic discourse. The Trust Project is an international consortium of news organizations implementing transparency standards and working with technology platforms to affirm and amplify journalism’s commitment to transparency, accuracy, inclusion and fairness so that the public can make informed news choices.
Moderator:
- Jenny Reardon, Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of the Science and Justice Research Center (UCSC)
Speakers:
- Sylvanna Falcón, Professor of Latin American & Latino Studies and Founder/Director of UC Santa Cruz’s Human Rights Investigations Lab (UCSC)
- Sally Lehrman, Chief Executive (The Trust Project)
Wed., October 30 at 7 p.m.
Decoding the Headlines: Top News Stories, Misinformation, and the 2024 Presidential Campaign
Online via Zoom and organized by Merrill College
Event description
As the 2024 elections unfold, navigating the flood of news and information can be overwhelming, especially with the proliferation of misinformation. This virtual panel brings together critical media literacy experts who will analyze the top news stories of the campaign, examining how they are reported and how misinformation spreads. Panelists will share lessons on how to discern credible sources, identify deceptive tactics, and understand the impact of misinformation on public opinion and democratic processes. Join us for an essential discussion that equips us all with the tools to critically engage with the media during this pivotal election season.
Moderators:
- Anjuli Verma, Assistant Professor of Politics and Legal Studies (UCSC)
- Kayson Tang, Undergraduate Class of Merrill College ’26 (UCSC)
Speakers:
- Nolan Higdon, Lecturer, Merrill College (UCSC)
- Mickey Huff, Distinguished Director of the Park Center for Independent Media and Professor of Journalism (Ithaca College)
- Robin Andersen, Professor Emerita of Media Studies (Fordham University)
- Reina Robinson, Founder and CEO (Center for Urban Excellence)
Voting Resources
Event Recordings
Navigating the Media Landscape: Critical Media Literacy in the 2024 Elections
Identity in Focus: Media Representations and the 2024 Presidential Election
U.S. Elections and Democracy in Deeply Polarized Times: What are the Stakes and Opportunities?
Moving Money and Moving Power: Philanthropy Isn’t Neutral
Engaging Digital Democracy: Tools to recognize political dis- and mis-information
Decoding the Headlines: Top News Stories, Misinformation, and the 2024 Presidential Campaign
