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. 4 times per semester. Come late or leave early, just don’t miss out!
Previous Pizza & Politics Events
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
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
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 (D)
Spring 2023 Pizza & Politics
Youth and the Future of Democracy: A Global Perspective
Friday, February 17
Guests: Dr. Qëndrim Gashi and Dr. Pëllumb Kelmendi
Supreme Court Spotlight
Friday, March 3
Guest: Judge Toby Crouse
What’s Up with the Kansas Legislature?
Friday, April 14
Guests: Katie Bernard and Dylan Lysen
The American Prison System
Friday, April 28
Esmie Tseng and Leslie Butch
Fall 2022 Pizza & Politics
The Road to the ADA and Modern Disability Advocacy
Friday, Setember 16
Guests: Marthe Hodgesmith and Ray Petty
In Conversation about School and Parents’ Rights
Friday, October 21
Guests: Ann Mah and Erica Hill
Lawrence and the Rising Cost of Living
Friday, October 28
Guest: Courtney Shipley
All Things Internships
Friday, November 18
Guests: Emily Depew, Alec Feather, and Patrick Miller
Spring 2022 Pizza & Politics
The Pros and Cons of Raising the Federal Minimum Wage
Friday, March 4
Guest: Dr. Jo Lugovsky
We Talk, You Listen: Listening to the First Americans
Friday, March 25
Guest: Dr. Dan Wildcat
Supreme Court Spotlight: What’s on the Docket?
Friday, April 8
Guests: Sharon Brett and Lumen Mulligan
What’s Up with the Kansas Legislature?
Friday, April 15
Guests: Jonathan Shorman and Andrew Bahl
Fall 2021 Pizza & Politics
Pros and Cons of the Green New Deal
Friday, October 8
Guests: Ed Cross and Dorothy Marie Daley
The Importance of Voting
Friday, October 22
Guest: Jaime Shew, Douglas County Clerk
The Economic Impacts of Student Loans and Student Loan Forgiveness
Friday, October 29
Guest: Jo Lugovskyy
Addressing Homelessness in Lawrence
Friday, November 12
Guest: Brad Finkeldei, Mayor of Lawrence
Fall 2020 Pizza & Politics
Voting in a Pandemic
Friday, October 9th, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Guest: Douglas County Clerk Jaime Shew
What’s Happening to Democracy in Hong Kong?
Friday, November 13th, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Guest: Virginia Harper How
Pizza, Politics, and Pups
Friday, December 4th, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Guests: Shannon Wells and Teresa Johnson of the Lawrence Humane Society
Spring 2020 Pizza & Politics
An Insider’s Guide to Intelligence: 2000-2020
Friday, February 21st, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Guest: Ron Marks
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