Events
We host regular events and programs, including lectures, receptions, and more. These events are focused not only around the Institute’s four focus areas, but also cover content related to other various issues affecting social justice, fairness, and opportunityPulitzer-Prize winning author Brian Goldstone to headline discussion on the new American homelessness
DES MOINES – Pulitzer Prize-winning author of There Is No Place for Us: Working Homeless in America Brian Goldstone will speak to Iowans on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the fall Sussman Lecture offered by The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement...
read moreApril 15 | An Evening with Charlie Cook: Spring 2026
An Evening with Charlie Cook An Evening with Charlie Cook will take place on Wednesday April 15, 2026. The event offers an opportunity to hear insight and analysis on the state of American politics from one of the nation’s leading authorities on the U.S....
read moreApril 14 | Harkin Retirement Security Symposium 2026: Understanding and Navigating the US Retirement System
Event Information: Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Time: 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM CT Location: Parents Hall, Olmsted Center at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa Live Stream on The Harkin Institute YouTube channel. Event Summary: The 2026 Harkin Retirement Security...
read moreMarch 11 | Harkin On Wellness Symposium 2026: The Treatment and Prevention of Cancer
Event Information: Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT Location: Parents Hall, Olmsted Center at Drake University Live Stream on The Harkin Institute YouTube channel. Registration: This event is free, but registration is required. Your...
read moreThe Harkin Institute annual wellness symposium on March 11 to focus on cancer treatment, prevention
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, March 2, 2026 Includes update on latest research between cancer, environmental risk factors Followed by Sussman lecture on March 12 with photojournalist KC McGinnis DES MOINES — The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen...
read moreSussman Spring 2026 Lecture – Social by Nature: Environmental Photojournalism for a More Hopeful Future
Event Information Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026 Time: 7:00–8:00 p.m. CT Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311) The Harkin Institute YouTube Channel (Stream link will be sent to virtual attendees before the event) Cost:...
read moreNovember 13 | From DC to Iowa: How Policy Shifts Will Impact the Disability Community
Event Information Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. *Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311) & Zoom Livestream Cost: Free, but registration is required. Accommodations:...
read moreNovember 8-9 | A Taste of ReelAbilities Des Moines 2025
Event Information Date: November 8-9, 2025 Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311) Des Moines Art Center (4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312) Cost: Free! Registration is required. Accommodations: Live-captioning in English...
read moreAdditional Resources for the 2025 Harkin Retirement Security Symposium: Inclusive Long-Term Care Policies and Supports
References The Direct Care Workforce State Index. (2025). PHI National. https://www.phinational.org/state-index-tool/ Dychtwald, K., Fulmer, T., Morison, R., & Terveer, K. (2025, July). Your Company Needs an Eldercare Policy. Harvard Business Review....
read moreOctober 8 | Iowa Waterways Report: Training Session for Viewing Parties
Event Information Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: Zoom* *Attendees will receive a Zoom link closer to the day of the event Cost: Free, but registration is required via Eventbrite Accommodations: American Sign Language and...
read moreNovember 12 | The Heartland at a Crossroads: Bold Voices on America’s Rural Future
Event Information Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. CT Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311) Accommodations: American Sign Language (ASL) and live captioning (CART) will be provided. Any...
read moreOctober 28 | Data in Action: New Findings from the National Training, Education and Workforce Survey (NTEWS)
Event Information Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CT Location: Zoom Webinar Cost: Free, but registration is required via Zoom Accommodations: American Sign Language interpretation and live-captioning (CART) in English will be provided for all...
read moreOctober 16 | Harkin Retirement Security Symposium 2025: Inclusive Long-Term Care Policies and Supports
Event Information Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025 Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET Location: KFF's Barbara Jordan Conference Center (1330 G St NW, Washington, DC, 20005) Virtual Live Stream (Link will be sent to virtual attendees before the event) Cost: In-person -...
read moreSeptember 17 | Roadmaps to Retirement 2025: Global Lessons and Paths Ahead
Event Information Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Time: 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. Networking lunch from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311) YouTube Livestream Cost: Free, but registration is required via...
read moreJuly 30 | Digging Into Disability Data: Making DisabilityStatistics.org Work For You
Event Information Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CT Location: Zoom (a link will be sent to registrants closer to the day of the event) Cost: Free, but registration is required via Eventbrite Accommodations: Live-captioning (CART) in English...
read moreAugust 4 | Our Water, Our Future: A Look at the Central Iowa Water Quality Report
Event Information Date: Monday, August 4, 2025 Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Location: Sheslow Auditorium at Drake University (2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311) YouTube Livestream* *Those who register to attend virtually will receive a YouTube link closer to the...
read moreJuly 16 | Unveiling Ceremony and Panel Discussion
Event Information Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Time: 3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Unveiling Ceremony 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - Panel Discussion *The building will be open for self-guided tours from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800...
read moreJune 9 | Workplace Accessibility Roundtable
Event Information Date: Monday, June 9, 2025 Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m. CT Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310) Virtual Livestream Cost: Free, but registration is required. Accommodations: American Sign Language and...
read moreMay 22 | Long-Term Care Policy Options Webinar
Webinar Information Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025 Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m. CT Location: Zoom Webinar (link will be sent to attendees closer to the event) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Accommodations: Live-captioning in English will be provided for attendees....
read moreThe Harkin Institute and the Iowa Environmental Council team up for a new cancer research initiative
The Harkin Institute and the Iowa Environmental Council are announcing the launch of a new initiative that explores the relationship between environmental risk factors and cancer rates in Iowa. Iowa has the second-highest cancer rates in the nation, and it...
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Address: 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: (515) 271-3623
Email: harkininstitute@drake.edu
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.