Events

The Bliss Institute offers national conferences and public programs that bring together academicians and practitioners to discuss recent developments in the political world.  

2025

• Honorary Certificates Awards (May 13)
• Life, Liberty, and Property in Akron: An Interactive Experience (Apr. 30) | Flyer
• 2025 Annual Ohio Peace and Conflict Studies Network Conference - Bridging the Divide: Prevention and Intervention (Apr. 11)
  • Deliberative Pedagogy Workshop - How to Host a Deliberative Discussion Session was presented by Dr. Cherie Strachan and UA graduate assistants, Grace Edwards and Krista Nisly
• The Joe Biden Presidency: Legacy and Record - An even-handed, non-partisan, and scholarly examination of the actions and consequences of the Joe Biden Presidency on the United States and world from a variety of perspectives (Apr. 10-11)

2024

• 2024 University of Akron Bliss Institute Buckeye Poll | Poll Results
  • Post-Election Analysis (Columbus: Dec. 10; Akron: Dec. 11) | PowerPoint Presentation
• Election Night Party (Nov. 5)
• U.S. Congresswoman Emilia Sykes, Akron Press Club (Oct. 17)
• Congressional candidate Kevin Coughlin, Akron Press Club (Sept. 24)
• White House Correspondent Steve Herman, chief national correspondent for the Voice of America and author of "Behind the White House Curtain," Akron Press Club (Sept. 18)

2023

• Honorary Certificates Awards (May 9)
• Akron Decides...May 2023 Post Election Poll - Registered Voters in Akron were asked to share their thoughts and opinions about the recent election for the Mayor of Akron | Poll Results
• Akron Decides...April 2023 Horse Race Poll - Registered voters in Akron who describes themselves as likely to vote were asked to share their thoughts and plan for voting in the upcoming May primary for the Mayor of Akron | Poll Results
• The Donald Trump Presidency: Legacy and Record - An even-handed, non-partisan, and scholarly examination of the actions and consequences of the Donald J. Trump Presidency on the United States and world from a variety of perspectives (Apr. 6-7):
  • Keynote Address: Major Garrett, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent
  • Media Roundtable: Covering Trump and Trumpism
• Akron Mayoral Debate, Akron-Summit County Public Library (Apr. 12)
• Akron Mayoral Debate, Akron Press Club (Apr. 5)
• Akron Decides...Debating the Future - Dr. John Green and Judi Hill, President of Akron NAACP, discussed the results of a scientific poll of voters and candidate debates designed to engage voters in the 2023 Akron mayoral election (Feb. 27) | Poll Results
• Jerry Austin, long-time political strategist, spoke at an Akron Press Club luncheon co-sponsored by the Bliss Institute. (Jan. 24)

2022

• Election Night Watch Party (Nov. 8)
• Day of Public Discourse hosted with the Ohio Debate Commission.  Participants included community members, and students from area high schools, universities and law schools. (Oct. 10)
• Dr. John Green interviewed author Mr. John Roy Price about his book on former President Richard Nixon entitled The Last Liberal Republican (Sept. 20): Flyer | Video
• Dr. John Green presented the results of the Bliss Institute poll on political polarization among Ohioans (Apr. 28)
• Spinproof: Antidotes for Political Messages with long-time congressional staffer Jennifer Hoelzer (Mar. 17)
• The Color of Education: Students of Color Advocate for Their Needs (Feb. 22)

2021

• The Color of Environmental Health: The Effects of Environmental Justice on Human Well-being (Dec. 1)
• State of the Parties Conference (Nov. 4-5): Panel papers and videos
• Honorary Certificate Awards (Sept. 21)
• Richard Haas, president of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations.(May 20)
• Voice of America White House bureau chief Steve Herman (April 30). 
• Dr. John Green discusses his new book, Secular Surge (April 21): Video
• Former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates (Mar. 15).
• A Panel on Ohio Politics (Mar. 3): Video
• Rethinking Race: Minority Representation in a representative Democracy (Feb. 26)
• The Color of Health: Examining Racism as a Public Health Crisis (Feb. 24)  
• A History of the White House Transition (Jan. 12) 

2020

• 2020 Presidential Election, the Electoral College, and Post-Election Certification Process (Dec. 8).  
• Civility, The Election, and Thanksgiving Dinner (Nov. 23): Website/ Video
• The Color of Law: Race, Racism and Public Policy in America (Nov. 20): A recording is available for a limited time.
• Virtual Speak Up for Kids Advocacy Briefing (Oct. 27)
• 2020 General Election Candidates Conference (Oct. 13 & 27)
• Ohio and the 2020 Election with Professor David Giffels (Oct. 5): Website/ Video
• Conversation on Civility with Dr. Joy Marcella (Sept. 14): Website/ Short Video/ Full Video