2026 Stephen A. Levin Family Dean’s Forum | Power, Conflict, and Democracy: A Conversation with Tom Nichols and Brendan O’Leary

The Stephen A. Levin Family Dean’s Forum welcomes Tom Nichols, The Atlantic staff writer and bestselling author of The Death of Expertise and Our Own Worst Enemy.

Join us for engaging conversation with Tom Nichols and Brendan O’Leary, Lauder Professor of Political Science.

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Join Tom Nichols, The Atlantic staff writer and professor emeritus of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, and Brendan O’Leary of the political science department for a timely, wide-ranging conversation on the state of the world order—and where it may be headed next. With global institutions strained by geopolitical rivalry, democratic backsliding, and economic uncertainty, Nichols and O’Leary will bring deep expertise and analysis as they unpack the forces reshaping our modern world. Nichols will also touch on his book The Death of Expertise, and how major events like the rise of the internet have fueled the global collapse of trust in institutions and authority.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Doors will open at 4 p.m.

Tom Nichols

Tom Nichols is a bestselling author and staff writer at The Atlantic. Confidently contrarian, Nichols is renowned for his commentary on political issues, the decline of modern society, and threats to democracy at home and abroad. He writes for The Atlantic Daily newsletter, guiding readers through the biggest news, ideas, and cultural happenings of the day. Nichols, also professor emeritus of national security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College where he taught for 25 years, has expertise on a range of foreign policy issues including Russia, nuclear weapons, and the role of war in international affairs.

Brendan O’Leary

Brendan O’Leary is a renowned political scientist and is the author, co-author, and co-editor of roughly 30 books and collections. His three-volume work A Treatise on Northern Ireland received the James S. Donnelly Sr. best book prize in History and Social Science of the American Conference on Irish Studies in 2020. In addition to his research and published works, he has served as a political and constitutional advisor to the United Nations, the European Union, the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, the Governments of the UK and Ireland, and to the British Labour Party.

The Stephen A. Levin Family Dean’s Forum is a celebration of the arts and sciences. Initiated in 1984, the Forum presents leading intellectual figures who exemplify the richness of the liberal arts. The Levin Family Dean’s Forum is made possible by a generous gift from Stephen A. Levin, C’67, in honor of his sons Eric T. Levin, C’92, and Andrew Levin, C’14.