Attend lecture on U.S. political polarization with associate director of Pell Center, Katie Langford Sonder

The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy will be hosting Katie Langford Sonder, associate director and fellow of the Pell Center, as part of the Pell Center’s 2024 lecture series. The lecture will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at 7 p.m., in the Bazarky Lecture Hall in the O’Hare Academic Building. To register, go here.

Polarization — often echoed by politicians, media outlets and within social circles — is a buzzword frequently cited as a significant factor contributing to the decline of democracy. Yet it prompts one to question the true extent of polarization among Americans.

Katie Langford Sonder, associate director of the Pell Center, will delve into the intricacies and challenges of political polarization in the U.S. This conversation will explore the roles played by citizens, political elites and the media in fueling hostility and will shed light on the nuanced nature of this complex issue.

Sonder is the associate director and fellow of the Pell Center, a multidisciplinary research center at Salve Regina focused on the intersection of politics, policies and ideas. Her current research involves unpacking the root causes of U.S. political polarization while identifying applicable conflict resolution techniques to minimize political and cultural divides. Sonder is also the director of the Nuala Pell Leadership Program, an experiential leadership development program for civic-minded undergraduates.

Prior to joining the University, Sonder served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia, an AmeriCorps fellow in California and a fellow for Princeton in Asia, a nonprofit organization that fosters cross-cultural understanding between the U.S. and Asia. Sonder holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from New York University and a master’s degree in international peace and conflict resolution from American University.

To register for the lecture on Tuesday, March 5, at 7 p.m., go here.