Pizza and Politics
Pizza and Politics is a laid-back, students-only program featuring local professionals and free pizza! Pizza and Politics unites KU students with experts in various fields from voting rights to environmental policy to economics, so there’s something for everyone! At these informal events, students get an in-depth look at relevant issues, and they are encouraged to ask questions and interact with the guests. Pizza and Politics programs occur on the KU campus from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. several times per semester. Come late or leave early, just don’t miss out!
Previous Pizza & Politics Events
Spring 2025
Fame and Fortune: The Evolving Role of the Wealthy in Politics
Friday, February 7 | Featuring Eric Thomas and Misty Heggeness
Advance: On the Presidential Campaign Trail
Friday, February 21 | Featuring Steven Jacques
Navigating the Collegiate Landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness
Friday, March 7 | Featuring Mit Winter and Nataliya Bredikhina
What’s Up with the Kansas Economy?
Friday, April 11 | Featuring Chris Courtwright
Supreme Court Spotlight: What’s on the Docket?
Friday, April 25 | Featuring Shannon Denmark and Mark McCormick
Fall 2024
YouTube Meets Politics: Mr. Beat on the Electoral College
Friday, September 13 | Featuring Matt Beat
The Deficit Debate: Economic Growth vs. Fiscal Responsibility
Friday, October 4 | Featuring Jerry Seib
Will TikTok Get Banned? Balancing Digital Liberties and National Security
Friday, November 1 | Featuring Mark Johnson and Kirk Sampson
Saving Social Security: Should Students Stress?
Friday, December 6 | Featuring Zachary Mohr
Spring 2024 Pizza & Politics
Homeless Insights and Initiatives in Douglas County
Friday, February 9 | Featuring Mayor Larsen and Misty Bosch-Hastings
Behind the Bench: Navigating the Scotus Docket
Monday, March 4 | Featuring Amii Castle & Stephen McAllister
Mind Matters: The Evolving Landscape of Gun Laws
Tuesday, April 2 | Featuring Rep. Jo Ella Hoye and Senator Chase Blasi
What’s Up with the KS Legislature?
Friday, April 12 | Featuring Jonathan Shorman and John Hanna
Fall 2023 Pizza & Politics
The Economic Puzzle: Piecing Together the Past and the Future
Friday, November 3 | Featuring Alex Richard
Unmasking Violence: Kansas City’s Road to Safety
Friday, November 17 | Featuring John Hamilton and Rick Armstrong
Kansas Legislative Forecast for the 2024 Session
Friday, December 1 | Featuring Representative Rui Xu
Spring 2023 Pizza & Politics
Youth and the Future of Democracy: A Global Perspective
Friday, February 17 | Featuring Dr. Qëndrim Gashi and Dr. Pëllumb Kelmendi
Supreme Court Spotlight
Friday, March 3 | Featuring Judge Toby Crouse
What’s Up with the Kansas Legislature?
Friday, April 14 | Featuring Katie Bernard and Dylan Lysen
The American Prison System
Friday, April 28| Featuring Esmie Tseng and Leslie Butch
Fall 2022 Pizza & Politics
The Road to the ADA and Modern Disability Advocacy
Friday, September 16 | Featuring Marthe Hodgesmith and Ray Petty
In Conversation about School and Parents’ Rights
Friday, October 21 | Featuring Ann Mah and Erica Hill
Lawrence and the Rising Cost of Living
Friday, October 28 | Featuring Courtney Shipley
All Things Internships
Friday, November 18 | Featuring Emily Depew, Alec Feather, and Patrick Miller
Spring 2022 Pizza & Politics
The Pros and Cons of Raising the Federal Minimum Wage
Friday, March 4 | Featuring Dr. Jo Lugovsky
We Talk, You Listen: Listening to the First Americans
Friday, March 25 | Featuring Dr. Dan Wildcat
Supreme Court Spotlight: What’s on the Docket?
Friday, April 8 | Featuring Sharon Brett and Lumen Mulligan
What’s Up with the Kansas Legislature?
Friday, April 15 | Featuring Jonathan Shorman and Andrew Bahl
Fall 2021 Pizza & Politics
Pros and Cons of the Green New Deal
Friday, October 8 | Featuring Ed Cross and Dorothy Marie Daley
The Importance of Voting
Friday, October 22 | Featuring Jamie Shew
The Economic Impacts of Student Loans and Student Loan Forgiveness
Friday, October 29 | Featuring Jo Lugovskyy
Addressing Homelessness in Lawrence
Friday, November 12 | Featuring Brad Finkeldei
Fall 2020 Pizza & Politics
Voting in a Pandemic
Friday, October 9 | Featuring Jamie Shew
What’s Happening to Democracy in Hong Kong?
Friday, November 13 | Featuring Virginia Harper How
Pizza, Politics, and Pups
Friday, December 4 | Featuring Shannon Wells and Teresa Johnson
Spring 2020 Pizza & Politics
An Insider’s Guide to Intelligence: 2000-2020
Friday, February 21 | Featuring Ron Marks
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