Speaker Series

The Phil Lind Initiative 2025 | January - April 2025

What It Means to Be “American”

This year’s Phil Lind Initiative Series What It Means to Be “American”: Navigating Identity in a Changing Nation, grapples with the fluid and multifaceted nature of American identity amid rapid social and political turmoil and transformation. Against the backdrop of a second Trump presidency, this series will explore how historical legacies, cultural narratives, and current events continue to shape what it means to belong in American society today.

From candid discussions about political polarization and systemic inequality to comedic satire and immersive art installations, this series illuminates the complexities of belonging and identity in the United States. Not afraid to tackle the hard conversations, speakers will engage with themes such as the influence of power and technology, the ongoing struggles for racial and social justice, and the enduring impact of America’s colonial past—offering perspectives that challenge dominant narratives and provide new insights into “the American story.”

2025 Phil Lind Initiative events include:

Tickets are FREE while quantities last (max 2 per order). Please note that these events are in-person and will not be livestreamed. Recordings of select events may be available online at a later date, please join the Phil Lind Initiative mailing list to learn more.

Presented by UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs in partnership with Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

This series is made possible through a generous gift from the late Philip B. Lind that was recently extended by the Lind family in his honour. Read more here.