Carolina Public Humanities

05/28/2026

Happy (belated) 85th, Bob Dylan!

Last night we were joined by the incredibly talented Jess Klein, Dawn Landes, and Bowed Dylan to perform and discuss the songs that made him a legend. A huge thank you to Ashley Melzer — who always brings such brilliant curiosity to these conversations — for her moderation.

And yes, of course there was cake. 🎂

04/23/2026

We are thrilled to congratulate Lloyd Kramer on receiving the 2026 C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award! 🎉

As the former director of Carolina Public Humanities, Kramer’s impact on our organization and on the broader community at Carolina is immeasurable.

This recognition is so well deserved. Thank you for your extraordinary dedication and your unwavering commitment to the value of the humanities. Carolina — and Carolina Public Humanities — is a richer place because of you.

Congratulations!

You can read more here: go.unc.edu/26massey

04/20/2026

Huge thanks to Professor Teresa Bejan for coming all the way from Oxford to share her expertise with us at the Adams Symposium for the Humanities last Friday.

Professor Bejan traced the idea of equality from ancient Greece and Rome to early modern England—uncovering how its meaning has evolved over time.

Fun fact: when the Declaration of Independence was first translated into Japanese, there were no direct equivalents for the phrase “all men are created equal.” Thus, in early translations, it appeared as “created in the same rut,” a Japanese phrase that means “universally in the same way.”

Missed the lecture? Don’t worry—it will be on YouTube soon!

04/17/2026

Tonight and tomorrow! Hear from an Oxford scholar on the history and meaning of equality. More info: go.unc.edu/9adams

📍Located in the FedEx Global Education Center, UNC - Chapel Hill

🗓️Keynote Address and Reception: Friday, April 17 | 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Panel Discussion and Response: Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

TOMORROW, join Carolina Public Humanities for the ninth annual Adams Symposium for the Public Humanities, featuring Teresa Bejan, a professor of political theory at the University of Oxford.

Bejan will discuss themes from her forthcoming book, "First Among Equals," which explores equality as a guiding principle of politics by recovering its forgotten history. Her talk will examine how a 17th-century social movement radically transformed the meaning of equality long before the Declaration of Independence, and how those ideas continue to shape debates about equality today in Europe, America and beyond.

A panel discussion held Saturday will include experts Stephanie DeGooyer, associate professor and Frank Borden and Barbara Lasater Hanes Fellow of English and Comparative Literature and Curriculum on Global Studies, Ejuerleigh Jones, a faculty fellow at the School of Civic Life and Leadership, and Michael Vazquez, a teaching assistant professor of philosophy and associate director of the Parr Center for Ethics.

📍FedEx Global Education Center
🗓️ Keynote Address and Reception: Friday, April 17 | 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Panel Discussion and Response: Saturday, April 18 | 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
🔗 Learn more and register: go.unc.edu/9adams

04/07/2026

What do we really mean when we say “all people are equal”?

Join us for The Ninth Annual Adams Symposium for a conversation with Dr. Teresa Bejan, Professor of Political Theory at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Oriel College, for a talk on the history and meaning of equality.

📍Located in the FedEx Global Education Center, UNC - Chapel Hill

🗓️Keynote Address and Reception: Friday, April 17 | 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Panel Discussion and Response: Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

🔗More info and virtual viewing registration: go.unc.edu/9adams

On Saturday, hear a response from panelists:

Stephanie DeGooyer, Associate Professor & Frank Borden and Barbara Lasater Hanes Fellow of English and Comparative Literature and Curriculum on Global Studies

Ejuerleigh Jones, Faculty Fellow at the School of Civic Life and Leadership

Michael Vazquez, Teaching Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Associate Director of the Parr Center for Ethics

03/20/2026

Join us for live music from singer-songwriter Skylar Gudasz, whose folk-inspired sound brings warmth and depth to stories passed down through generations.

Skylar will perform songs and discuss her research into oral traditions around women’s health—music that carried remedies and herbal knowledge across time.

We’re so grateful to Skylar for sharing this work with us, and many thanks to Ashley Melzer for moderating the evening.

🗓 Wednesday, March 25 | 6:00 pm
📍 Flyleaf Books
🎟 $10 | go.unc.edu/skylar

03/07/2026

What does the First Amendment look like at public universities versus private ones?

Hear a leading expert on academic freedom explain the reasons for, uses of, and limits of free speech on American campuses.

🎥 Clip from our panel discussion “Academic Freedom, Free Speech, and the Law” (Nov. 13, 2024).

Watch the full conversation at the link in our bio. Join us at future events to hear new ideas, take part in thoughtful discussions, and explore the humanities and the arts.

02/18/2026

Carolina Public Humanities is proud to support educators in all 100 NC counties through Carolina K-12 🩵📚
 
This summer, we’re hosting TWO fully funded teacher retreats (yes, free lodging & meals!) where educators can learn, collaborate, and leave with classroom-ready resources… and have a little fun too.
 
Applications open March 1st— we encourage any and all teachers to apply!
 
Pictured here is Cori, the Director of Carolina K-12, who works year-round making sure the amazing teachers of North Carolina are seen, supported, and equipped.
 
Thanks for the photo via !

02/07/2026

Jane, we couldn't agree more.

Want an excuse to read something amazing and talk about it with other book lovers? Come join one of our Great Books sessions led by UNC scholars!

Head to humanities.unc.edu (link in bio!) to register or learn more. We’d love to have you in the conversation! 📚

02/04/2026

After months of planning, we’re excited to share our Humanities in Action series in partnership with all six of UNC’s Area Studies Centers. These talks bring some of the university’s brightest minds into conversation with the public, reaching beyond the classroom and into the wider community.

Global perspectives matter. They help us understand the world, ourselves, and each other. Join us for Humanities in Action and be part of the conversation!

Visit humanities.unc.edu for more info.