Finding balance was an overarching theme of Monday's Batten Hour speaker, Under Secretary for the Office of Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security Kenneth Weinstein, who discussed election security and the role of his organization in bridging information gaps among all levels of U.S. government.

More than 125 people attended a special Batten Hour this week in celebration of Constitution Day. UVA Batten Dean Ian H. Solomon hosted a conversation with retired federal judge J. Michael Luttig and John Hardin Young of the American Bar Association.

As one of the foremost environmental attorneys in Virginia, Elizabeth Andrews has a front-row seat for the conundrums of climate change policy. On Earth Day, Andrews was our guest speaker for this year’s final Batten Hour, co-hosted by UVA’s Environmental Institute and the Institute for Engagement and Negotiation.

Alisha C. Holland, Associate Professor of Government at Harvard University, studies the comparative political economy of development with a focus on Latin America. She will speak on "Inhibitory Institutions: The Bureaucratic Politics of Public Goods Quality” in a talk hosted in the Politics department, jointly sponsored with the Karsh Institute of Democracy LEAD working group.

Dean Solomon told students in a Democracy and Public Service course to be open to all methods of influencing their communities. “There is never just one bucket to draw from. For me, it’s important that action is aligned with my values.” He joined Melody Barnes of the UVA Karsh Institute of Democracy in teaching the course, a core requirement for UVA’s Public Service Pathways program.

In part 2 of our coverage of Batten School events that were part of the Democracy 360 Summit on Grounds this month, faculty experts engaged in panel discussions on Congress, economics and climate policy. 

In part 1 of our coverage of Batten School events that were part of the Democracy 360 Summit on Grounds this month, two-time world champion debater Bo Seo discussed the topic of his latest book, "How to Disagree Better."

In Episode 2 of "Grounds to Listen," Dean Solomon engages two-time world debating champion Bo Seo on how to have good arguments. 

At this week's Batten Hour, former Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC) reflected on the dynamic politics of climate change, and the less often discussed intersection of conservative principles and environmental stewardship.

In a significant expansion in 2026, the Batten school will occupy more than 17,000 square feet of the new Karsh Institute for Democracy building with faculty offices, research centers and other operations, while retaining its home base at Garrett Hall on Central Grounds.