Discussions, debates, and discovery.

Learn about our upcoming events featuring thoughtful discussions, Firing Line debates, in-depth seminars, and much more. Recordings of past events are also available.

Firing Line Debates

The Firing Line Debate Series seeks to model thoughtful and respectful discourse across political lines by bringing in experts with opposing views to debate a wide variety of policy and political topics.

Upcoming Firing Line Debates

No upcoming events in this category.

“My favorite Buckley event this semester was the Firing Line debate on whether gender should be included in legal frameworks. Both speakers brought passion and lived experience to the table, and their candid discussion over dinner—extending beyond the formal debate—left a lasting impression. It was a rare moment of genuine engagement on a contentious topic.”

— Hilda Barragan-Reyes ’26

“The Buckley Program’s willingness to invite speakers with a variety of viewpoints, even if they identify with the same political party, is intellectually valuable… These types of conversations are helpful for me to construct my own opinions and apply them to the real world.”

— Yale Student’ 25

“I would say Buckley is mostly a way to make spaces and foster very difficult conversations, but they’re conversations and dialogue that I think need to happen. And even in some of the more touchy and difficult topics, it’s always been in a respectful manner, which I’ve appreciated.”

— Toby Neal ’27

Past Firing Line Debates

On February 19, the Buckley Institute hosted a Firing Line debate on assisted suicide featuring Patient Rights Action Fund's Matt Valliere and Penn State's Megan Wright.