Speaker Series

The A. Craig Baird Debate Forum launched its new Speaker Series in 2017. This series engages modern political controversies, encouraging public deliberation through open forums and campus partnerships. With the advent of “fake news” and "trolling," the need to promote civil discourse is greater than ever. This series dedicates itself to creating productive forums to hear opposing opinions. The series is entitled A. Craig Baird Forum on Contemporary Politics & Society.

"False Flags"

This talk describes Russian narratives related to the invasion of the Ukraine and how those narratives get recirculated in American media. It identifies elites in American politics that have been captured by Russian propaganda, including Iowa’s own Chuck Grassley. These figures recirculate and disseminate Russian propaganda messages, knowingly or unwittingly. Tucker Carlson is regularly aired on Russian state television because of his pro-Russia/anti-Biden approach to the war in the Ukraine.

Parts of this discussion were presented by Dr. Jensen at the American Policial Sciences Association conference and from his report to the Australian Department of Defence analyzing Russia propaganda on Twitter and Russian propaganda sources using GDELT. It develops a systems analytic account of how influence operations work.

Dr. Michael Jensen is Associate Professor at the Centre for Change Governance at the University of Canberra. His research concerns propaganda and information warfare. He was a 2021 finalist for a Minerva research grant from the US Department of Defense and has led research projects for the Australian Department of Defence. In addition to consultation work for Australian Defence, he has testified before the Australian on foreign interference issues on five occasions and regularly does media appearances on Australian radio and television. Dr. Jensen has published books with Cambridge University Press and Palgrave and articles in the International Journal of Press/Politics, the Journal of Information Technology and Politics, the Journal of International Affairs, and the Journal of Public Policy. He has previously taught at the University of California, Irvine, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and the Australian National University's National Security College.

Mike debated for Iowa in the 90s and was renowned for his work ethic and depth of argument production. Later, he contributed to the success of the program as a coach. In 2000 and 2001, Mike was part of the coaching staff that produced two national titles for the A. Craig Baird Debate Forum.

"Specters and Electors"

Misinformation, disinformation, and fake news are not new, but what is new about the problem of deceitful weaponizing of information for political effect is more acute today than in a pre-internet era. This talk examines foreign interference in elections past, present, and future, examining operational elements that have not received much attention in media reporting or academic research. Looking at past election interference, the talk will provide new information about Russian trolling efforts in 2016 and the Russian operation to coordinate with American media and politicians to launder and legitimize deceptive narratives about the Biden family in 2020. Looking to the present, the research will present an analysis of Russian and Chinese (PRC) narratives about American political figures and key races during the upcoming midterms. Finally, the talk will outline potential future risks for election interference in the United States, drawing on suspected or confirmed cases of political interference from around the world.

"Title IX and Campus Politics"

Distinguished alumni Corey Rayburn Yung returned to campus in April to present on important issues regarding Title IX enforcement. Recent events at campuses across the country and the emerging cultural influence of #MeToo have highlighted the ethical necessity of promoting awareness and dialogue to disrupt silence of denial.

Rayburn Yung employed a rich variety of historical and cultural resources to powerfully illustrate how current Title IX controversies arose and developed. Debate helps to train great scholars like Rayburn Yung to become powerful advocates for the A. Craig Baird Debate Forum's motto: Side of Truth.

Coordinator of Forensics Paul Bellus also serves as the Director of Youth Programs at Iowa, a role where he employs his extensive debate skills to proactively craft policies that secure a safe and welcoming campus community for all.

"US Foreign Policy Moving Forward"

Colin Kahl, former deputy assistant to President Obama and key architect of the Iran Deal, headlined the inaugural Speaker Series event on the future of American foreign policy. His speech proved prescient; less than a year later, President Trump announced that the U.S. would terminate the agreement.

Kahl was considered a luminary in debate for his rigorous focus on finding the best evidence to guide mutually-respectful dialogue. Those skills were necessary during contentious technical discussions with Iranian officials and obviously on display in his brilliant presentation.

Speaking on the value of debate to promote dialogue, Kahl advised the audience "to force yourself to articulate what the other side’s argument is...understand that they’re coming to an issue from a different perspective, and force yourself to walk a mile in their argument’s shoes."

Kahl employs his debate skills in his new role as the inaugural Steven C. Hazy senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies' Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, the next step in a long journey of guiding America's future through spirited debate and dialogue.