DU's Day of Free Expression & Pluralism

Spark 2026 is on May 20


Join us for the fourth annual day of free expression at DU.Ìý
Spark is DU's annual Day of Free Expression and Pluralism—a half-day event bringing together faculty, staff, students, and guests from across the Front Range to engage with some of the most pressing civic and intellectual challenges of our time.

9:30-9:45 am, Registration and Coffee
9:45-10:00 am, Opening Remarks, DU Chancellor Jeremy Haefner
10:00 am-3:45 pm, Panel discussions (details below)
3:45-4:00 pm, Closing Remarks

a group of students around a table working on a project

Spark Panel 1: (Un)civil discourse: Religious & Ideological Pluralism

Panelist Discussion

Maglione Hall, Sie Complex, 10:00 am - 11:45 pm

Moderator: , Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor, Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies, 91¶¶Òõ

Panelists:

  • , Director, Center for Humanities & the Arts, CU Boulder
  • , Chaplin, Colorado College
  • , Associate Professor, Political Science, 91¶¶Òõ
  • , Professor & Director, Center for Public Deliberation, Colorado State University
three people having a discussion outside

Spark Panel 2: Collaborative Problem Solving: Viewpoint Diversity as a Civic and Workplace Skill

Panelist Discussion

Maglione Hall, Sie Complex, 12:00 pm - 1:45 pm

A sandwich lunch will be available during this panel.

Moderator: , Ombuds, Colorado College

Panelists:

  • , Heterodox Academy
  • , Associate Professor, Communication, CU Boulder
  • , Assistant Professor, Communication Studies, 91¶¶Òõ
  • , Professor, Korbel School, 91¶¶Òõ
three people chatting outside on a lawn

Spark Panel 3: Navigating Information: AI, Digital Media and Misinformation

Panelist Discussion

Maglione Hall, Sie Complex, 2:00 - 3:45 pm

Moderator: , Faculty Director of Freedom of Expression and Pluralism Initiatives, 91¶¶Òõ

Panelists:

  • , Professor & Director, Estlow Center for New Media, 91¶¶Òõ
  • , PhD Student, Daniels College of Business, 91¶¶Òõ
  • , Professor, Film & Media Studies, Colorado College
  • , Director of University Teaching, 91¶¶Òõ