Boston University Hosted Lets Tango Speaker Event

The session continued the university’s initiative to encourage civil discourse on campus.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Lecture and Seminars

Empty modern university lecture hall with rows of wooden chairs, clean wooden podium, and natural morning light. — Boston University hosted an academic speaker session at the Kilachand Center as part of the Living Our Values initiative to promote civil campus discourse. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Boston University held its latest installment of the Living Our Values Initiative with the Lets Tango speaker event. The program featured Associate Professor of Philosophy Piers Norris Turner at the Rajen Kilachand Center.

Why it matters

The initiative seeks to promote civil discourse and inclusivity in response to growing national polarization on college campuses. By hosting various leaders and thinkers, the university aims to foster a positive impact within the student body.

The Lets Tango event took place at 4 p.m. at the Rajen Kilachand Center. It represents the second event held under the initiative this semester.

The players

Melissa Gilliam

Melissa Gilliam is the President of Boston University who instated the Living Our Values Initiative in fall 2024.

Piers Norris Turner

Piers Norris Turner is an Associate Professor of Philosophy who served as the featured speaker at the Lets Tango event.

Boston University

Boston University is a private research university located in Boston that serves as the host for the Living Our Values Initiative.

Rajen Kilachand Center

The Rajen Kilachand Center is the facility at Boston University that hosted the Lets Tango speaker event.

The details

Organizers utilize a layered approach to selecting speakers and topics to ensure varied engagement across the university. The Living Our Values Initiative, which was established by President Melissa Gilliam, focuses on promoting integrity and inclusivity through academic discussion.

The Living Our Values Initiative was instated in fall 2024.
The Lets Tango event occurred on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Industry Dynamics

The event aligns with broader efforts in higher education to counteract polarization through structured dialogue. Boston University's Living Our Values Initiative follows a trend of universities creating formal spaces to promote civil discourse on campus.

The event provides students and faculty with direct access to academic perspectives on campus climate. Attendees are able to engage with invited speakers to better understand methods for navigating polarized discourse.

The takeaway

Structured speaker series provide a clear mechanism for universities to facilitate nuanced conversations on sensitive topics. Engaging with these forums allows members of the campus community to actively participate in building a more inclusive environment.