As part of Mizzou’s Open Minds Initiative, Greg Lukianoff — a renowned First Amendment attorney, free speech advocate, author, and president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) — will speak from 6–7 p.m., Oct. 8, at the State Historical Society of Missouri. 

Lukianoff will explore free speech and expression, open dialogue, and the implications for democracy. Campus and community members are invited attend and encouraged to register for this free lecture and discussion. 

“To understand the world, it’s crucial to know what others really think and that can only happen when people feel they can be their authentic selves,” said Greg Lukianoff, who emphasizes that open dialogue is essential for progress and the development of critical thinking skills. 

A New York Times best-selling author, Lukianoff has authored and co-authored several books and papers on campus censorship and free speech including The Coddling of the American Mind, with Jonathan Haidt; The Canceling of the American Mind, with Rikki Schlott: and, most recently, The War On Words: 10 Arguments Against Free Speech—And Why They Fail, with Nadine Strossen.  

Lukianoff’s lecture is a featured Open Minds Initiative presentation. The initiative is a comprehensive effort led by Mizzou’s College of Arts and Science to strengthen the promise of higher education, bridge ideological differences, and promote the values of democracy throughout Missouri, and beyond.