Emerson to Host Global Summit on Politics, Sports, Civic Engagement

Politicians and political strategists, Nepali journalists, and academics from Emerson and around the world will converge on the College October 19-22 for a Global Summit on Politics, Sports, and Civic Engagement.

The Summit is held in conjunction with the Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations at Ramon Llull University in Barcelona, Spain. Last year, a Summit was held in Barcelona.

“The Summit demonstrates the global commitment of Emerson to connect students and professors and their research and interest with colleagues around the world on how communication is central to success in politics, sports, and civic engagement,” said Gregory Payne, chair of the Communication Studies Department and co-founder of the Summit. “It further establishes our bridge with Blanquerna in Barcelona as a gateway to Europe.”

The summit opens Wednesday, October 19, 7:30 pm, with an event surrounding the third and final presidential debate. Prior to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s last formal meeting before Election Day, Emmy Award-winning journalist Carole Simpson, distinguished journalist-in-residence at Emerson, will fill folks in on the “State of the Presidential Campaign,” followed by Spencer Kimball, director of the Emerson Polling Society, releasing their latest poll results. Republican political strategist Kat Grosso ’05 also will provide commentary.

On Thursday, October 20, in the Semel Theater, panels on Digital Political Communication, the Politics of Sports, Grassroots and Civic Engagement, and Unpacking Global Mediated Political Discourse will offer a range of topics, including but not limited to political leadership in memes, the NFL’s domestic violence scandal, growing grassroots movements, Trump and the discourse of hate, and making American politics more inclusive.  

Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell will speak on “Civic Engagement in the Birthplace of America,” and Democratic political strategist Michael Goldman will talk about “Making Sense of the Current Presidential Race in the United States.” During lunch, a contingent of journalists from Nepal will talk with participants.

The panels will take place from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

On Friday, October 21, in the Semel, Emerson faculty members Lu Ann Reeb, Dr. Janet Kolodzy, and Dr. Brenda Wrigley will explore “How the Media Got Trumped” with moderator Dr. Enric Ordeix of the Blanquerna School.

“Comedy and the 2016 Election: When Politics and Punch Lines Collide” will offer perspectives on this year’s politics from a comedian, an editorial cartoonist, a presidential political strategist, and faculty members, 12:00-2:00 pm at the Bordy Theater, 216 Tremont Street.

Other panels at the Semel include Challenges in Global Politics and Journalism; Public Relations, Politics, and Civic Engagement; and Gaming and Public Diplomacy. They run from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.