Events
Stay tuned for upcoming events!
Hughes Center Conversations
As part of its mission to provide a forum for the discussion of important policy issues, the center annually hosts a series of conversations with experts meant to engage the public and policymakers alike.
- February 28, 2025 - A Hughes Center Conversation with Christy Bowe, White House photojournalist and author
- September 12, 2024 - A Conversation with N.Y. Times Journalist Peter Baker - read the news release and watch on YouTube
- April 6, 2022 - A Conversation with Rear Admiral Kevin Sweeney on Ukraine
- January 24, 2020 - A Conversation with Don McGahn
- January 23, 2018 - A Conversation with United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch
- November 17, 2015 - A Conversation with N.Y Times David Sanger
Hughes Center Honors
Hughes Center Honors recognizes outstanding New Jerseyans for excellence in their field and for a commitment to public service, civility and bipartisanship that reflects the life and career of Ambassador William J. Hughes.
Election Debates & Candidate Forums
The center hosts public candidate debates to inform voters, encourage political engagement, and facilitate civil discourse.
- October 24, 2024 - Election Debate - Congressional District 2 with House Representative Jeff Van Drew and Democratic Challenger Joseph Salerno - livestreamed and recorded on YouTube
- October 16, 2024 - Candidate Forum with U.S. Senate Candidate Curtis Bashaw
- October 10, 2024 - Candidate Forum for U.S. Senate with Congressman Andy Kim
Policy Panels & Events
Throughout the year, the center regularly hosts events that feature timely policy topics, such as expert panels, spotlights on faculty research, and more.
- March 4, 2025 - American National Security, Trade Policy, and the Jones Act
- February 1, 2024 - Hughes Center Student Research Reception
- April 16, 2024 - A Panel of Judicial Experts Discuss Responses to the Mental Health Crisis in the Justice System
- September 12, 2023 - A Panel with Judge Esther Salas and judicial experts on Daniel’s Law: How New Jersey Protects Its Judicial System - And Why Those Who Are Covered Should Embrace It
- May 31, 2022 - Investing in New Jersey Families: Building School and Community Youth Mental Health Services
- April 14, 2022 - The Many Faces of Homeless Women
- March 2, 2022 - Back to Basics: The First Amendment in the College Classroom
Constitution Day
Constitution Day is an annual event that features keynote presentations by prominent legal scholars, journalists, or practitioners focused on important constitutional issues.
- 2024 Richard Hasen "A Real Right to Vote"
- 2023 Melissa Murray "Dobbs, Democract, and Distrust"
- 2022 Mary Ziegler "Reproductive Autonomy in the aftermath of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization"
- 2021 Lorraine K. Bannai "Anti-Asian Hate: History, Law, Culture, and Coalition-Building"
- 2020 Julie Chi-hye Suk "We the Women: Discovering the ‘Founding Mothers’ of Our Constitution"
- 2019 Joan Biskupic "The Chief: The Life and Power of Chief Justice John Roberts"
- 2018 Adam Winkler "The Strange & Surprising History of the Second Amendment"
- 2017 Julian E. Zelizer "Constitution Democracy in the Era of Donald Trump"
- 2016 Akhil Reed Amar "The Supreme Court & the Constitution:What's at Stake in the 2016 Election"
Student Events
The mission of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy is to connect our students to public service and inopportunities for experiences and skill-building.
- March 4, 2025 - Washington Internship Recruiting Lunch
- February 19, 2025 - NJ Legislative Internship Recruitment Luncheon
Click Here For Our Events Archive
