John Inazu, a leading constitutional scholar and legal expert, will speak at the University of Missouri from 6 to 7 p.m. on April 3 in Memorial Union, Room N201.

Inazu will discuss the art of healthy disagreement — why it matters, how we can practice it, and how it can strengthen our relationships and communities. 

“I’m looking forward to engaging with the Mizzou community about how we can all learn to disagree better in our polarized environment,” said Inazu. “The university is the ideal place to build these skills and experiences.” 

Campus and community members are invited to this free lecture, Civil Discourse Across the Aisle, that will include insights from Inazu’s book, Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect.

“The challenge of learning to disagree is that we never figure out how to do it perfectly—it’s an ongoing process,” said Inazu. “We will make mistakes, and we will need to extend and receive grace.”

Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He specializes in First Amendment freedoms (speech, assembly, and religion) and is a sought-after speaker on issues of legal and political theory. His legal experience includes clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals and serving as an attorney at the Pentagon.

Inazu’s lecture is co-sponsored by Mizzou’s College of Arts & Science, School of Journalism, and School of Law.