Lifelong Learning

Virtual Event

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy welcome the Spring 2026 CPF Fellows to USC for a virtual discussion of the current state of politics today. How’s Trump doing? What about the Democrats? What do you need to know ahead of the 2026 Midterms? Join us on Zoom for insightful civil disagreement on politics today. The conversation will also explore the Fellows’ study groups and their wide-ranging careers in politics and public service.

Virtual Event

Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

The Institute on California and the West (ICW) is excited to host Laura Wilson as she discusses her photography and understanding of the American West. Wilson’s portraits and images span from Montana to Mexico, trick riders to writers. The conversation will also include a discussion of her time working with and book about Richard Avedon, Avedon at Work: In the American West. Laura Wilson will be joined in conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Logan, ICW Co-Director.

Virtual Event

Friday, February 6, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

A discussion of Jessica X. Zu’s new book, Just Awakening: Yogācāra Social Philosophy in Modern China (Columbia University Press, 2025). The author will be joined in conversation by Joy Brennan (Kenyon College) and Brook A. Ziporyn (University of Chicago), moderated by David Albertson (USC).

Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience (MCB) 101, University Park Campus

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Come and explore groundbreaking discoveries and innovative ideas connected with environmental and sustainability research!

This event will include lightning talks and posters presented by Wrigley Institute-affiliated faculty and graduate students.

Ahn House, University Park Campus

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

David Yi is a USC alum and co-founder of Very Good Light and the gender inclusive beauty brand good light. He is the author of Pretty Boys, the history of men, masc-identifying folx, beauty and masculinity. In this talk, he will focus on discussing a central paradox of the present moment: as Korean culture – through K-beauty, K-pop and media, and overall Korean capitalism – achieves unprecedented global visibility, Korean Americans often remain culturally peripheral to that success. Drawing from his work as a writer and founder in the K-beauty industry, the talk explores questions of belonging, authorship and power at the intersection of diaspora, capitalism, and cultural export.

This event is co-cponsored by the USC Korean Studies Institute, Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies and the Consortium for Gender, Sexuality, Race and Public Culture.

Virtual Event

Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Join the Institute on California and the West (ICW) as we host Carolin Görgen, Associate Professor of American Studies at Sorbonne Université. Dr. Görgen will share her research on the California Camera Club, one of the largest photography networks in the early 20th century. Dr. Görgen will be joined by Dr. Bill Deverell, ICW Co-Director.

9860 Mesa Rim Rd, San Diego, CA 92121 USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute

Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

This year’s program will feature a timely conversation on the forces shaping the upcoming midterm elections, examining key policy debates, campaign strategy, and what the 2026 midterms may signal about the future of American politics.

Join us for this special occasion as we welcome Dean James Bullock, who will be visiting with the region’s alumni for the first time since joining the university.

Social Sciences Building (SOS), 250, University Park Campus

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.

In February 1986, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County inaugurated the travelling exhibition “Dinosaurs Past and Present.” Curated by paleoartist Sylvia Czerkas, this exhibition was the first to ever bring together artistic restorations of dinosaurs from the 1800s to the present day. This talk analyses the meeting of motivations that made such an exhibition possible and discusses its role in renegotiating the boundary between scientific and artistic work in dinosaur restoration.

Taper Hall (THH), 309k, University Park Campus

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Please join the USC Society of Fellows in the Humanities “Sites of Inquiry” research group for a guest lecture by Professor Deborah A. Thomas (University of Pennsylvania). Organized in partnership with the Van Hunnick History Department, the Department of American Studies and Ethnicity, the Department of Anthropology, and the Center for Experimental Ethnography.

Virtual Event

Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Join USC Dornsife Dean James Bullock for a live conversation with USC researchers and alumni exploring how Earth’s most extreme environments are shaping the search for life beyond our planet — and what it reveals about our own origins and future.

1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, California, Huntington Library

Friday, February 27, 2026 – Saturday, February 28, 2026

The USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute is a co-sponsor of an academic conference on “Early Modern Queenship” organized by the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Amanda Herbert, Associate Professor (Early Modern Americas) in the Department of History at Durham University, and Vanessa Wilkie, William A. Moffett Senior Curator of Medieval Manuscripts and British History and Head of Library Curatorial at the Huntington Library, are the conference conveners.

USC Hotel, 3540 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

Network in person at the 2026 Los Angeles Geospatial Summit with fellow students, young professionals from throughout the Southland, eminent industry leaders and recruiters.

Gain insights on GIS industry trends and opportunities. Share your research in an ArcGIS StoryMap or Lightning talk.

Virtual Event

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

A discussion of Sarah Mesle’s new book, Reasons and Feelings: Writing for the Humanities Now (University of Chicago Press, 2025). The author will be joined in conversation by Emily Ogden (University of Virginia) and Tina Post (University of Chicago), moderated by Karen Tongson (USC). Organized in partnership with the USC Writing Program and the Department of English.

Ahn House (AHN), 101, University Park Campus

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

This annual program is designed to visit and discuss notable spaces related to Korean heritage at USC campus and surrounding areas. The walking tour will start with the USC Korean Heritage Library which showcases unique collections on Korean American history, media studies and other Korean language sources. Other sites include the University Club, Ahn House, USC Dive Tower, Korean National Association Memorial Foundation, Hung Sa Dahn and Florence Sherman’s Church.

Virtual Event 

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

A discussion of Sarah Mesle’s new book, Reasons and Feelings: Writing for the Humanities Now (University of Chicago Press, 2025). The author will be joined in conversation by Emily Ogden (University of Virginia) and Tina Post (University of Chicago), moderated by Karen Tongson (USC). Organized in partnership with the USC Writing Program and the Department of English.

Taper Hall, University Park Campus

Friday, February 27, 2026 – Sunday, March 1, 2026

Join the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation for It Takes a Diaspora to Raise a Language: Future Directions for Armenian, an interdisciplinary academic conference exploring best practices in language education in diasporic contexts. This conference intentionally shifts the focus away from narratives of loss and toward examples of innovation, creativity, and success. The program will feature academic panels and practitioner showcases to encourage dialogue between research and on-the-ground experience.

Virtual Event

Monday, March 2, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

As we now find ourselves officially in America’s 250th anniversary year, we are truly honored to be joined by the legendary scholar Jeffrey Rosen. As the CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center and the author of numerous books, Rosen’s iconic body of work gives us a richer understanding of the tensions, rivalries, and principles that have shaped the American experiment. His most recent book, “The Pursuit of Liberty,” tells the vibrant story of how the tensions in the visions of founders Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton haven’t just endured since the founding—they’ve defined us.

Audrey Irmas Pavilion, Los Angeles, California

Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

Join us for a special gala as we honor and celebrate Robert Shrum’s remarkable career and contributions, while supporting the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future.

Union Station, Washington D.C.

Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

Over the course of this special evening, we will recognize Robert Shrum for his exceptional achievements and contributions. Proceeds from the evening support the USC Center for the Political Future. Your generous contributions will be acknowledged throughout the event.

Locations all over the United States/Remote

Saturday, March 21, 2026

During this annual day of impact, thousands of Trojans come together to make a difference in their local communities by participating in various alumni-led community service projects around the world.

Bing Theatre (BIT), University Park Campus

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

In conjunction with the USC School of Dramatic Arts’ production of Legally Blonde, join us for an exploration of how costume design reflects and amplifies the beloved figure and feminist icon of cinema and musical theatre, Elle Woods. Costume designer and USC professor Ann Closs-Farley will lead a conversation with designers, scholars, and artists breaking down how fashion is used as a narrative device in Elle’s journey.

Town and Gown, University Park Campus

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

A signature USC Earth Month event, the annual
conference hosts experts from politics, government, media and academia to discuss climate change issues with a focus on finding practical policy and business solutions as well identifying ways to remove political obstacles in the implementation. Panelists will discuss the effects of the presidential election on climate policy.