Expert panel on US inauguration

Is democracy in crisis? What are the implications of the new US presidency on political liberty, social justice and geopolitics? On Friday, Jan. 20, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th president and at midday in Victoria, five University of Victoria historians will hold a public panel discussion on possible impacts of the new presidency, on the lessons that history can teach us and on what is likely to come in the months ahead—in the US and around the world.

Four of the panelists are also available to media this week:

  • Penny Bryden, an expert in Canadian political history, can comment on the implications of Trump’s presidency for Canada and on some of the similarities between Trump and other modern presidents. (Bryden is available by email only at pbryden@uvic.ca)
  • Rachel Hope Cleves, an expert in early American history and the history of women, gender and sexuality, was born and raised in NYC and has witnessed Trump’s public career for more than 30 years. She can comment on the implications of Trump’s presidency for American women as well as LGBTQ people in the US. (Office: 250-721-7385 or rcleves@uvic.ca)
  • Jason Colby, an expert on modern American history and US foreign relations, is also an expat American and has been closely following the political currents of his native country. He can comment on American traditions of liberal democracy and on whether democracy is in crisis around the world. (Colby has limited availability this week via email at jcolby@uvic.ca)
  • Oliver Schmidtke, an expert in European relations and geopolitics, can comment on the first days of Trump’s presidency and the challenges to democracy associated with the rise of nationalist populism in the US and Europe. (Office: 250-721-7490 or ofs@uvic.ca)

The public panel will be chaired by Martin Bunton, acting director of UVic’s Centre for Global Studies (CFGS), who is an expert in the field of modern Middle Eastern history and can speak to media about implications throughout the Arab world. (Office: 250-721-7400 or mbunton@uvic.ca)

What: “The Trump Presidency” – A UVic panel discussion as part of the World Affairs in Historical Perspective series at UVic, presented by the CFGS and Department of History

When: Friday, Jan. 20 from 12:30 to 1:50 p.m.

Where: Room C122, David Strong Building, UVic

Space is limited; please plan to arrive early.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Parking info and campus maps: www.uvic.ca/maps.