Dear Sanford Alumni and Friends, 

In the past few weeks, I have been reflecting on what it means to foster genuine civil discourse in a polarized moment. The events of September remind us not only of the challenges we face, but also of the responsibility we bear as a school committed to open inquiry, reasoned engagement, and respect for differing views. Sanford’s commitment to civil discourse isn’t a slogan – it is lived through our courses, our public programming, and the work of the Civil Discourse Project at Duke.

That project, now housed within Polis – Center for Politics at Sanford, has helped build intellectually diverse communities of learners who support each other while also challenging assumptions. It teaches that civil discourse depends on the freedom to think, to question, and to express views rooted in facts and arguments that are academically grounded.

Over the past few weeks, our community has grappled with difficult and deeply felt questions. At a Polis-sponsored gathering following the tragic killing of Charlie Kirk, students, faculty, and staff offered candid, calm reflections. In the room, packed with graduate students, undergraduates, and faculty, Stephen Buckley – interim director of Polis - offered a framework through which attendees could share their thoughts in constructive dialogue while holding space for listening and for learning together. That evening was a reminder: civil discourse is not merely the absence of conflict, but the deliberate practice of seeking understanding, even when disagreement is real.

Read the Full Blog

Manoj Mohanan

Interim Dean and Creed C. Black Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy

Deep Tech Policies – AI and Digital Sovereignty 

November 19, 6:00 – 8:00 pm EST 

Duke in DC 

Interim Director of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society and Sanford Professor David Hoffman will lead a discussion highlighting how “Deep Tech at Duke brings together leaders in science, policy, and innovation to shape the technologies defining our future.” 

Please join us for an insightful evening as Professor Hoffman answers questions such as - How can governments around the world trust AI to benefit their citizens? Why is Duke uniquely positioned to move policy and research forward on Deep Tech priorities? What roles should US policy play in the global rollout of AI solutions? 

Register and Learn More 

Our next Rubenstein Lecture will take place on October 22 featuring Gita Gopinath.

Registration will open on October 7th. We look forward to seeing you there!

DEMAN Weekend 2025 

One of the sessions during the weekend will feature Sanford Professor Phil Napoli. The session titled The Power of Storytelling and Adapting to Change will take place on November 8 where participants will engage in roundtable discussions about adapting to change in creative industries with a focus on storytelling and transformation in journalism, film/tv, tech, publishing, and marketing. 

Register and Learn More 

Computational Thinking and Artificial Intelligence

An upcoming session in the series will feature Sanford Professor David Hoffman. The session titled Taking AI to Court - Ethics, Policy, and Platforms will take place on October 7 and will use a Spotify case study to explore privacy, transparency, and the responsibilities of tech companies in an AI-driven world.

Register and Learn More 

Sense of Self 

An upcoming session in the series will feature Sanford Professor Peter Ubel. The session titled Locating and Identifying Self will take place on October 23 and dive into how you deal with disappointment and misfortune will influence your life’s path enormously and may even affect your health. Building off his research and writing about the experience of serious illness, Dr. Ubel will reflect on how people overcome such challenges and how building your resilience can help you adapt to change, stay motivated, and succeed.   

Register and Learn More 

“The Duke Sanford School of Public Policy’s mission is to improve lives by researching the most pressing public policy issues and preparing students for lives of leadership, civic engagement and public service.” 

In response to our growing graduate programs and the continued question from our graduate program alumni on how they can volunteer their time and resources to the school, we are launching the Sanford Graduate Program Alumni Council. The mission of the council will be to sustain an active partnership with the Sanford School of Public Policy by fostering opportunities for MPP, MIDP, MNSP, and MPA alumni to serve as trusted advisors, advocates, and ambassadors. The Council will promote a spirit of collaboration to advance the School’s priorities and mission.   

The responsibilities of the council, the commitments, and structure of the council are outlined within the council website. As you explore this opportunity, please reach out to Maggie Stroud should you have any questions. 

Kim Williams MPP’05 

Vice President, Health Equity & Community Engagement at American Academy of Physician Associates

Kim is responsible for shaping the organization’s strategies to eliminate healthcare disparities, strengthen partnerships, and equip physician associates to deliver culturally responsive care. It is the natural next step in a journey that has spanned government, nonprofits, and healthcare systems, always with equity at the center.

Learn More About Kim's Journey

Each month, we want to share updates from our alumni.

Do you have a new job? Receive a promotion or an award?

Celebrating a wedding, birth, or other milestone?

Thank you to our amazing alumni who recently volunteered!

Amanda Donovan MPP'19 - Ari Panzer MPP'23 - Caroline Strahorn PPS'24 

Dan King PPS'23 - Rich Gittings MPP'19

Your participation brings invaluable knowledge and experience to the table for fellow alumni and current students, and we greatly appreciate your efforts. As a Duke alum, your unique experiences and talents have the power to make a difference in the lives of others. Consider lending your support as a volunteer to strengthen the Duke network while giving back.  

Sanford School Alumni & Giving 

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