Runstad Lecture Series
Inspiring ideas, engaging conversations
The Runstad Lecture Series is a cornerstone event of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS), bringing nationally recognized distinguished speakers to University of Idaho to share insights on pressing societal issues, groundbreaking research and creative innovation. With a focus on social justice, sustainability and cultural innovation, the series invites the campus and community into conversations that inspire change and challenge perspectives.
More than lectures, these events are opportunities for deep reflection and dialogue. Attendees engage directly with speakers whose work sparks critical thinking, encourages activism and broadens perspectives. Whether you’re a student seeking to enrich your academic journey or a community member passionate about global change, the series invites you to be part of a dynamic conversation that drives learning and inspires action. Each event is free and open to the public.
About the series
Since its inception, the Runstad Lecture Series has advanced intellectual growth and civic dialogue at the U of I. Each year, it welcomes renowned speakers from diverse disciplines to address critical issues with local, national and global relevance.
Key focus areas include:
- Social justice and equity
- Environmental sustainability
- Innovation in arts and culture
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Event details: Spring 2025
Thursday, March 20 | 5 p.m. | Administration Auditorium, Moscow, Idaho
Presented as part of the University of Idaho Common Read
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen will deliver the 2025 Runstad Lecture, discussing the creative and ethical challenges of adapting his acclaimed novel The Sympathizer for television. The HBO miniseries adaptation, starring Hoa Xuande, Robert Downey Jr. and Sandra Oh, was directed by showrunner Park Chan-wook.
Nguyen, a MacArthur "Genius" Grant recipient and literary scholar, is also the author of The Committed, The Refugees, and A Man of Two Faces, among others. His writing explores memory, displacement and identity — especially as they relate to the Vietnamese refugee experience. The New York Times praised The Sympathizer as a novel that "gives voice to the previously voiceless," offering a powerful retelling of history through new perspectives.
A moderated Q&A with University of Idaho Assistant Professor of English Thomas Dai will follow the lecture. This event is free and open to the public, with a reception to follow.
Support the Runstad Lecture Series
The Runstad Lecture Series thrives through campus and community involvement and the generosity of donors who believe in the power of public dialogue and lifelong learning. Your gift helps us bring nationally recognized speakers to University of Idaho, ensuring that students, faculty and the broader community continue to benefit from meaningful, thought-provoking conversations.
By donating, you directly support future events that foster intellectual engagement and promote ideas that inspire action, empathy and innovation.
Have questions?
For inquiries about the Runstad Lecture Series, please contact class@uidaho.edu.