Left to right: Steve Knight, Adia Wingfield, Clarissa Hayward, Elizabeth Larson, Molly Cline, and Andrew Reeves at 8th Annual Women's event.

Professor Krister Knapp speaking to attendees at Rapid Response event on Venezuela and the Monroe Doctrine.

Left to right: Andrew Reeves, Carolyn Bourdeaux, Clint Zweifel, Richard Ryffel, and Phil Smith at Governing Past Gridlock event.

Left to right: Chancellor Andrew D. Martin, Alberto Musalem, Thomas C. Melzer, Andrew Reeves, James Bullard, Karen Branding, and Elizabeth Larson at Federal Reserve event.

Elizabeth Larson with Panelists Benjamin Storey, Andrew Reeves, and Robert Doar at Civic Education event.

About the Center

The Weidenbaum Center is a research institute at Washington University in St. Louis that supports social scientific research in the fields of public policy, economics, political science, and sociology. The Center funds faculty research, provides administrative support for research activities, and sponsors a wide range of public affairs programs. In doing so, the Center serves as a bridge between scholars, policymakers, and the general public. Through unbiased empirical research and events, the Center addresses many of the pressing public policy issues facing America and the world today.

Spring 2026 Events Flyer 

Learn more about the Weidenbaum Center 

The Weidenbaum Center is located on the Washington University Danforth Campus in Seigle Hall, Suite 170. Click here for campus map & closest parking 

 

The Economic Forecast from Inside the Trump White House

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The Economic Forecast from Inside the Trump White House

Weidenbaum Center, Seigle Hall, Room L006 (tiered classroom-basement level)

A conversation with Aaron Hedlund, Chief Economist at the Council of Economic Advisers at the White House. This event is co-sponsored by the Purdue University Mitch Daniels School of Business.

The Triumph of Economic Freedom with Former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm

Emerson Auditorium, Room 110, Knight Hall, Danforth University Campus

Former United States Senator Phil Gramm discusses his new book "The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism." The event is cosponsored by Washington University's Olin Business School.

Healthcare at a Crossroads: A Bipartisan Conversation on America's Future

WashU School of Law, Bryan Cave Moot Courtroom, Room 310 | Washington University in St. Louis

The Weidenbaum Center invites you to join us for a bipartisan panel discussion on the future of U.S. health care, bringing together leading voices who approach today’s most urgent health policy challenges from across the political and professional spectrum

8th Annual Women's Luncheon and Public Policy Event

90 women participated in this annual event, now in it's 8th year. The brainchild of event organizer Molly Cline, the event is a Weidenbaum Center tradition that connects women, ideas, and policy. Speakers this year were Professor of Political Science Clarissa Hayward who spoke on how shared values and different perspectives reshape politics, and Professor of Sociology Adia Wingfield who shared her research on how workplace dynamics maintain racial equality.

Governing Past Gridlock: Why Fiscal Responsibility Still Matters

Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux, Executive Director of The Concord Coalition and former U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 7th Congressional District, offers a candid assessment of the fiscal and political challenges confronting the nation. She outlines ideas for how we can move beyond stalemate to restore stability, political trust, and long-term prosperity and explores what it will take to rebuild cooperation and strengthen America’s fiscal future. The event was cosponsored by Washington University's Olin Business School.

High Stakes Uncertain Gains Trump’s Economic Experiment So Far

A timely and engaging conversation on the impact of dramatic changes in economic policy during the first year of the second Trump Administration. Economists Steven Fazzari and Chris Varvares (pictured middle and right) assess what we know so far about the effect of these policies, exploring international trade, financial markets, tariffs, inflation and economic growth. Moderated by Weidenbaum Center Associate Director of Research & Administration Elizabeth Pippert Larson (pictured far left). Cosponsored by the Washington University Law Public Interest Law & Policy Speaker Series.

The Past, Present, and Future of the Federal Reserve

A conversation with Alberto Musalem, the current President & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and two past Presidents of the St. Louis Fed, James Bullard and Thomas Melzer. They explore the evolving role of the Federal Reserve in the U.S. economy. Moderated by Karen Branding, President & CEO of the Regional Business Council, with opening remarks by Andrew Martin, Chancellor of Washington University. The event was opened by Elizabeth Larson, Weidenbaum Center Associate Director of Research & Administration, with introductions and closing remarks by Weidenbaum Center Director Andrew Reeves.

Working in the Weidenbaum Center provides me the direct benefits of research support for understanding local government, as well as the indirect (but still substantial) benefits of working in a collaborative and welcoming environment where my scholarship was challenged, refined, and allowed to blossom. The Center’s community-facing projects, such as the St. Louis Policy Initiative, have given me opportunities to think about how the work we do can positively and tangibly impact the St. Louis community. Working in the Weidenbaum Center has made me a better researcher, a more attentive community member, and a better person.

― Dr. Jordan Wong Former Center Survey Research Affiliate & Recent PhD recipient. Dr. Wong accepted a position in July 2025 at Five Rule Rural Planning where he will be leading and supporting qualitative and quantitative public input activities in Nebraska communities.

Past event videos

Want to see videos of our past events? Check out our YouTube page at the link below.

Past event videos