Message from the Director

I join Freedom Center (FC) Associate Director Saura Masconale, our faculty, and staff in extending our best wishes for 2024...

The FC promotes outstanding research and meaningful dialogue. Hosting Visiting Fellows and welcoming award-winning journalist Sarah Spain as our first Journalist in Residence exemplifies that commitment.

Mary L. Rigdon
Freedom Center Director and Associate Professor of Political Economy and Moral Science

Mary Rigdon

Grant Funding Highlights

The Thomas W. Smith Foundation, Bradley Foundation, and John Templeton Foundation continue to strengthen FC research and programming.

The Bradley Foundation is supporting the inaugural Biennial Conference on Academic Freedom (Spring 2025).

The Templeton Foundation has committed three years of funding to support the PPEL Undergraduate Summer School.

Arizona Legislative Fellowship Program

The Freedom Center launched the Arizona Legislative Fellowship Program, offering graduate students hands-on experience at the Capitol.

Arizona Capitol

Free Speech on Campus

The Freedom Center sponsored “Free Speech on Campus,” addressing First Amendment principles and university responsibilities.

Saura Masconale
Visiting Fellows

Visiting Fellows Updates

The Visiting Fellows Program welcomed distinguished scholars including Laura Razzolini and James Konow, fostering collaboration across economics and philosophy.

Book Manuscript Workshops

Sanford Ikeda and Bart Wilson engaged faculty and graduate students in manuscript workshops integrating economics and social theory.

Journalist in Residence

ESPN’s Sarah Spain returned to campus as the FC’s inaugural Journalist in Residence, advancing discourse on sports, equity, and media.

Sarah Spain
University of San Diego

PPEL Summer School 2024

The PPEL Undergraduate Summer School returns June 4–7 in San Diego, strengthening critical thinking and intellectual humility.

Upcoming Events

FEB
9–10
Arizona Workshop on Freedom & ResponsibilityPresented by UA Philosophy and the Freedom Center.
APR
3
ESG Now and in the Future: Is There Common Ground?Debate series in Phoenix.
APR
12
Jay Nordlinger & Vernon Smith PodcastSpecial conversation recording.
APR
29
Oral History Screening with Hanna Zack MileyFree community educational event.

Recent Publications

FC faculty and affiliates published extensively across philosophy, economics, law, and political theory in 2023–2024.

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