Adam Price, AM, Leader of Plaid Cymru

Adam Price was elected to the National Assembly for Wales in 2016 as the Plaid Cymru Assembly Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr.

Adam Price is also a former Member of Parliament, having represented his home county of Carmarthenshire in Westminster between 2001 and 2010. A voracious opponent of the Iraq War, Adam led an attempt to impeach Tony Blair and was ejected from the Common’s chamber in March 2005 for refusing to retract his statement accusing Blair of misleading parliament.

Outside politics, Adam has an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School and has worked in academia and business.

Upon his election to the Assembly two years ago, Adam has led for Plaid on the economy and has served as the Assembly Commissioner responsible for Official Languages. As one of the Senedd’s first openly gay politicians, Adam has spoken out on LGBT issues and has been named in the Wales Online/Western Mail ‘Pinc List’ of the 40 most influential LGBT people in Wales on several occasions.

Adam Price became the Leader of Plaid Cymru in September 2018. Upon taking office, he has re-emphasised the party’s commitment to Welsh independence.

Amb. Cathy Russell's study group examines America's use of soft power to support women and girls. Wise diplomats know that American power includes the ability to persuade others to follow our lead. The United States conveys and highlights our culture and values through a wide range of public diplomacy and exchange programs administered by the Department of State. In 2017, OMB Director Mulvaney announced a “hard power budget” which proposed dramatic cuts in the State Department and USAID budgets. What is the value of soft power in promoting and supporting women’s rights? What programs have been most effective in conveying the important values of equality and opportunity? 

Guest: Evan Ryan, Assistant Secretary of State of Cultural, Educational Affairs in the Obama Administration and now Executive Vice President at Axios.

Rep. Carlos Curbelo's study group.

What are the developments and factors that altered the old political order and brought us to this point? Join Congressman Curbelo for a discussion on the current state of Congress!

Michael Zeldin's study group examines the role of Congress in investigations -- from Watergate to Whitewater to the Mueller investigation? When does Congress decide to hold public vs. closed-door hearings? How does Congress manage and coordinate competing oversight: House vs. Senate; Congressional Committees (Judiciary, Intelligence, Foreign Affairs); the political landscape (Democrats vs. Republicans); the search for the truth?

Guest: Congressman Eric Swalwell, D-CA 15^th District (Member, House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees)

A conversation with
Cornel West
Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy, Harvard University
Professor Emeritus, Princeton University
Robert George
McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director, James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, Princeton University.

Aisha Moodie-Mills' second study group of the semester is all about getting to know the Majority Makers, including her guest: Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-7).

Rep. Barbara Comstock's second study group of the semester centers on something important: how to get started. Whether it’s working on a campaign or working in an elected official’s office, the best experience and the best staff work their way from the ground up.  Studying policy and politics is obviously a way to start but getting “in the arena” is where you can impact policy and elections.  We will talk to two of my campaign managers, one who also served as my Chief of Staff, about how they entered politics and how they staffed, managed, and organized campaigns and offices and the challenges they faced.  They will also discuss the various positions available and the opportunities to work on issues they care about and how they developed relationships on shared missions that assisted with the policy issues they worked on and legislation passed and coalitions they developed to pass that legislation.        

Guest: Sean Harrison, former Campaign Manager and current DoD Lead, Google.

The Honorable Bill de Blasio
109th Mayor of New York City
 
Symone D. Sanders (Moderator)
Democratic Political Strategist
CNN Political Commentator
IOP Spring 2018 Resident Fellow

**This Event Requires Harvard ID for Admittance**
 

Former Ambassador Cathy Russell leads a weekly study group entitled: "Why Women and Girls Matter to U.S. Foreign Policy." This study group will examine the role of the United States in supporting women around the world, including the important role of men and boys, and consider the future of American leadership. 

In her first session, "How Did Women Come to Matter in U.S. Foreign Policy?" Cathy will look at the challenges faced by women, including limited political participation, gender-based violence, lack of education, and difficulties participating in formal economies. 

Join former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu for a conversation on current events and past experiences navigating racial issues on the local level. Lunch will be provided.

Former Representative Carlos Curbelo leads a weekly Study Group entitled “Congress: The Art of the Possible.” Each week, he will focus on the causes and consequences of the many political dynamics at work in America. He will also bring into focus some of the most divisive issues in the country including climate policy and immigration, and recent activity related to these issues in Congress.

Michael Zeldin leads a weekly study group entitled: "Independent Counsels and Presidential Investigations." This study group will focus on all aspects of the investigation of a sitting president of the United States -- the law, politics, and media.

In his first session, Michael will take a deep dive into the Mueller Investigation. Why was he appointed? What is his mandate? How has he proceeded to date? Where might he be going? How will the takeover by the Democrats of the House of Representatives impact Mueller’s work?