In case you missed it: “New Era of Learning” can benefit millions

On October 27, the Charles Koch Foundation (CKF) sponsored an Axios “New Era of Learning” conversation. During the half hour event, business reporter Erica Pandey, Guild Education CEO Rachel Carlson and Education Design Lab CEO Kathleen deLaski unpacked the future of learning, postsecondary education innovation, and career readiness after COVID-19. Pandey asked speakers how the concept of the traditional … Continued

Addressing the Politicization of Religious Freedom

The polarization of religious freedom and its manifestation in religious divides between conservative white Protestants and Muslims offers important lessons about the benefits of openness to progress. My experiences have shown me that change is possible if we simply take the time to acknowledge the other side’s hurt as real and maybe even legitimate.  Importantly, we … Continued

The Inversity Solution: A New Approach to Inclusion

“The World’s Turned Upside Down” is not just a memorable song from the hit musical “Hamilton,” but rather the general consensus of nearly all who have been paying attention to national and global goings-on the past two years. “There’s a lot going right now” is, quite easily, the understatement of the century. From a global … Continued

Liberalism: The Mother of Innovation

Universities have become the frontlines of the American culture wars, with both the political left and right policing which ideas can and cannot be discussed. When a University San Diego (USD) law professor supported an unpopular but credible theory related to the source of COVID-19, the USD administration launched an investigation. At the University of … Continued

Driving Discovery: A series on openness and human progress

In my 16 years at the Charles Koch Foundation, I have had the pleasure of working with—and being inspired by—some of the best minds in the world. These people share a common calling: to discover solutions that help empower people to transform and improve their lives. This calling also represents a core ingredient of human … Continued

Dare to be different

For decades, George Mason University’s Economics Department and the Mercatus Center have put theory into practice and bet on the unconventional — with impressive results.   As the world needed scientific solutions to combat COVID-19, Tyler Cowen, a George Mason University economics professor, saw a problem that demanded urgent attention. Scientists desperately needed money — money that was agile, quick, and responsive to the needs of researchers.   So, he helped in the creation of Fast Grants, an effort based … Continued

West Virginia University welcomes Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Licensing

Since its founding at Saint Francis University (SFU) in 2016, the Knee Center for the Study of Occupational Regulation (CSOR) has grown into one of the nation’s leading sources for thought leadership and research on how occupational licensing laws can create barriers to economic opportunity.   The center, led by Dr. Ed Timmons, has provided a critical understanding of how occupational licensing laws have proliferated and how they have impacted individuals. As a result, municipal and state policymakers have … Continued

Council for Adult and Experiential Learning to Provide an Enhanced Understanding of Adult Learner Preferences

In 2020, nearly 40 percent of high school graduates decided not to go to college. More than 16 million people aged 16 to 24 were not in school at all—about 44 percent of Americans in that age group. These people are among those struggling the most in the COVID economy.   What is keeping these adults from entering postsecondary education programs? What are the … Continued