The Harkin Institute Events
The Harkin Institute hosts regular events and programs, most frequently at its home at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. These special events, including lectures, receptions, and more, are focused not only around the Institute’s four focus areas (Labor and Employment, People with Disabilities, Retirement Security, and Wellness and Nutrition) but also cover content related to other various issues affecting social justice, fairness, and opportunity.
July 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 Polk County 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) Cost: Free, but registration is required via Eventbrite Accommodations: American Sign Language and...
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...
read moreApril 29 | ADA Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion of “Change Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act”
Event Information Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. CT *Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Accommodations: American Sign Language and...
read moreApril 2 | Closing the Retirement Savings Gap Webinar
Webinar Information Date: Wednesday, April 2, 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...
read moreApril 16 | Harkin On Wellness Symposium 2025: The Future of Clean Water
Event Information: Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 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 moreFebruary 20 | Spring 25 Sussman Lecture: Students Are Humans First with Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab
Event Information Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025 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)...
read more2025 Harkin On Wellness Designee Applications Now Open!
Organizations working to preserve and improve water quality are invited to nominate their program to be considered for the 2025 Harkin On Wellness Designation. This year's theme is The Future of Clean Water. At The Harkin Institute, our goal is to facilitate...
read moreOctober 28 | Solutions on a Platter with EnAble India
Event Information Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024 Time: 11:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m. CT Location: Virtual Live Stream via Zoom Cost: Free! Accommodations: Live-captioning in English will be provided for attendees. American Sign Language interpretation is only available...
read moreNovember 11 | An Evening with Charlie Cook 2024
An Evening with Charlie Cook 2024 Event Details: Date: Monday, November 11, 2024 Time: 7:30–8:30 p.m. CT Location: Sheslow Auditorium (2507 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311) Virtual live stream on The Harkin Institute YouTube channel Registration: This event is...
read moreOctober 30 | Navigating Medicare Enrollment with Iowa SHIIP Counselors
Webinar Information Date: October 30, 2024 Time: 1:00–2:00 p.m. CT Location: Zoom Webinar (link will be sent to attendees closer to the event) Cost: Free Accommodations: Live-captioning in English will be provided for attendees. American Sign Language interpretation...
read morePOSTPONED | Fall Sussman Lecture: Students Are Humans First with Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab
Unfortunately, our Fall 2024 Sussman Lecture: Students Are Humans First with Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for the inconvenience. We plan to reschedule this event for the Spring and hope to see you there. Feel...
read moreOctober 4-6 | A Taste of ReelAbilities Des Moines 2024
Event Information Date: October 4-6, 2024 Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center, Auditorium (2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311) Cost: Free! Accommodations: Live-captioning in English and American Sign Language will be provided. Other accommodation requests...
read moreSeptember 5 | Ruth Harkin Book Launch and Signing
Event Information Date: September 5, 2024 Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. CT Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311) Cost: Free, but registration is required Accommodations: American Sign Language (ASL) and live captioning (CART)...
read moreSeptember 25 & 26 | Industrial Farm Animal Production, the Environment, and Public Health
Day One Recording: Day Two Recording: Event Information Date: September 25 & 26, 2024 Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT Location: Parents Hall, Olmsted Center at Drake University (2875 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311) Virtual Live Stream Cost: In-person...
read moreAugust 30 | Lunch and Learn: Increasing Board Diversity Through Greater Disability Representation
Session Information Date: August 30, 2024 Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m. CT Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311) Virtual Live Stream (Link will be sent to virtual attendees before the event) Cost: Professionals seeking credit...
read moreJuly 13 | AchieveABLE Futures: Using ABLE Accounts to Reach Your Financial Goals
Event Details What: AchieveABLE Futures: Using ABLE Accounts to Reach Your Financial Goals When: Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT Presentations will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. One-on-one sessions will be 25 minutes long held between 11 a.m. and 2...
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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.