SPEAKER SERIES

UBI is a regular cash payment made to all adult citizens, regardless of their employment status or income. An idea with a long history, it is now gaining traction globally and across the political spectrum. On November 12, 2025, WACT Speaker, Dr. Peter Grosvenor explained UBI and examined the major arguments for and against it. Dr. Peter Grosvenor is a Welsh political scientist with degrees from Swansea University and the London School of Economics. He is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Global Studies at Pacific Lutheran University, teaching courses in political philosophy and international relations, with a special interest in international political economy. He is a former labor union research officer and speechwriter at the Trades Union Congress in London and a member of the Basic Income Earth Network. This program was supported in part by Tacoma Creates, a program of the City of Tacoma.

WACT | Speaker Series: Professor Sang-Yoon Chang, Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Colorado gave a presentation on the latest challenges facing cybersecurity. Developments in A.I. have rendered many mathematically based systems vulnerable. Post-quantum cryptography has emerged as a reliable alternative to these older systems and can be used to protect the privacy of our communications and data. #ai #cryptography #bitcoin #cybersecurity #crypto

TARIFFS: How do they work, who pays for them, and what impact will they have on our nation? | Speaker Series On Thursday the World Affairs Council hosted a panel presentation at the University of Washington-Tacoma on the subject of "TARIFFS: How do they work, who pays for them, and what impact will they have on our nation?" The speakers were Andreas Udbye, a professor logistics at Tacoma Community College and in the University of Washington system and two local business people active in trade: Deborah LI, the Vice President of Sales for Mode Imports , and Emma Perruccio, an Account Executive for Kintetsu World Express. Professor Udbye gave an explanation of #tariffs and an overview of the research on their impact, while Deborah and Emma provided real world examples of how they struggle to navigate (and survive in!) the rapidly changing trade environment. This event was funded by Tacoma Creates.

WACT | Speaker Series: Thomas Preston, a Washington State University C. O. Johnson distinguished professor, describes the impacts of President Trumps' radical shift away from support of Ukraine, and the entire structure of the post-WWII alliances with Europe and NATO. This program was sponsored by Tacoma Creates. #ukraine #political #world #trump

Description Genocide. Whenever the word appears in news headlines, documentaries, or movies, everyone knows a horrific atrocity is potentially unfolding. However, from a historical perspective the visceral reaction to this word is somewhat surprising because the concept of genocide was invented barely eighty years ago and only recently became a widespread part of international dialogues. This talk will describe the historical creation of the concept of genocide by Raphaël Lemkin and its adoption in international law and contemporary political discourse. Speaker Ben Meiches is a Professor at the University of Washington-Tacoma and earned his Ph.D. In Political Science from Johns Hopkins University in 2015. At the University of Washington, Tacoma, his research and teaching focus on global politics, political violence, human rights and international theory. He is a particularly interested in armed conflict, genocide, and the development of international law. He is the author of two award-winning books: Nonhuman Humanitarians: Animal Interventions in Global Politics and The Politics of Annihilation: A Genealogy of Genocide both with University of Minnesota Press.

Tacoma, like many seaport cities around the world, is an amalgam of peoples, ethnicities, and neighborhood influences overlaid on a place that has been home to indigenous people for hundreds of generations. This presentation will explore Tacoma’s patterns of immigration, how neighborhoods and institutions have been shaped by waves of newcomers and how journey stories have helped create the city’s cultural backstory and history. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Michael Sean Sullivan is a public historian, writer and historic preservationist. He has taught Pacific Northwest history at the University of Washington Tacoma for more than 20 years. With special guest Robert Satiacum.

Henry Haas, an attorney, shares his family's story of escaping the Holocaust. Henry's wife, Katie Haas, has meticulously documented the journey of survival and courage, as told by Henry's mother, Gerda Buchheim. Henry has worked with the Holocaust Center of Humanity in Seattle to tell his family's story, with Kate helping. For more info on his work with the Holocaust Center of Humanity, please visit: https://www.holocaustcenterseattle.org/henry-haas

Porismita Borah (PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison) is the Lester M. Smith Distinguished Professor at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and a graduate faculty in the Prevention Science program at Washington State University. Borah primarily studies discourses on digital platforms as well as message effects in the context of both politics and health. Borah's most recent work focuses on problematic information including mis/disinformation, hate speech, and incivility. This talk will explore the various ways in which misinformation and disinformation spread, examining the channels and methods that contribute to their proliferation. We will delve into the consequences of being exposed to false information, including how it impacts individuals and society as a whole. The discussion will also address the reasons why people are susceptible to believing in misinformation, highlighting psychological and social factors that play a role. Finally, we will consider strategies and actions that can be taken to combat the spread of misinformation, empowering individuals and communities to better navigate the information landscape.

Marnie Gustavson, Executive Director of PARSA, will discuss her experience working to encourage leadership and positive change in civil society in Afghanistan, and the implications on women and girls' rights in Kabul as it enters its third year under Taliban control.

When Russia initially invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, few would have anticipated the war lasting nineteen months—with no end in sight. Ukraine is now engaged in a grinding counter offensive, and its development of long-range missiles and drones is bringing the war to Russia. What have been the biggest surprises of this brutal war? What are the likely outcomes? How long might it go on? What will Putin likely do and how does the military situation play out for Russia? And what are the key challenges for the US and NATO in supporting Ukraine in the coming year? To help us better understand the dynamics at play, we’re turning again to Dr. Tom Preston, a C. O. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Washington State University. Dr. Preston did such a great job last spring in explaining President Putin’s motivation in unleashing the war, we’ve invited him back to help us parse recent developments and likely outcomes. He teaches courses on international relations, American foreign policy, U.S. national security policy, and intelligence analysis. Join us for what promises to be a timely and compelling presentation.