Conversations on Inequality and Public Policy: Steven Durlauf and Glenn Loury on Affirmative Action

The 2023 Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and UNC struck down race-based college admissions. It reignited debates about affirmative action as a tool for addressing inequality and historical injustice. Should affirmative action attempt to rectify historical wrongs or focus on ongoing disparities? What is the meaning of meritocracy in education? How does diversity enhance colleges and universities? Given the Supreme Court decision, what public policy alternatives should be explored to combat inequality and discrimination?

Join Professor Steven Durlauf, Director of the Stone Center for Research on Wealth Inequality and Mobility, in a conversation with Brown University Professor Glenn Loury to discuss their different perspectives on affirmative action. Ethan Bueno De Mesquita, Dean of the Harris School, will moderate the discussion. This event aims to present its audience with arguments on both sides of a complex and nuanced issue. We hope to foster a citizenry able to evaluate opposing perspectives critically and make informed decisions.