UCSB Arts & Lectures adds four powerful speakers to its 2026-2027 season

Global economic analyst Rana Foroohar, two-time Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu, OB-GYN Mary Claire Haver and MacArthur Fellow Danielle Allen will address topical issues including the economy and national security, academic freedom, women’s health and how we define success

 

Global economic analyst Rana Foroohar discusses her forthcoming book, Sea Change: America’s New Great Game in the Arctic Circle, on Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 PM at UCSB Campbell Hall

Thu, Nov 19 | 7:30 PM | UCSB Campbell Hall
Tickets start at $30 General Public / $10 UCSB students (current student ID required)
Tickets & Info: www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu / (805) 893-3535

A Financial Times associate editor and CNN global economic analyst, Rana Foroohar explains how the race for control of the world’s oceans is reshaping the global economy and redefining national security. As rapid global warming transforms the Arctic, the region has become one of the world’s most consequential geopolitical flashpoints. Drawing on extraordinary access aboard the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Healy during a voyage to the North Pole, Foroohar argues that “ships are the new chips” and shows why maritime power will shape the next era of global competition.

FREE copies of Foroohar’s new book, Sea Change, will be available while supplies last (pick up at event, one per household)

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An Evening with two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu on Thursday, January 28 at 7 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre

Thu, Jan 28 | 7 PM | Arlington Theatre
Tickets start at $40 General Public / $19 youth (18 & under) / $16 UCSB students (current student ID required)
Tickets & Info: www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu / (805) 893-3535

At 21, Bay Area native Alysa Liu, who won two figure skating gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, has emerged as a defining voice of her generation. After landing a triple Axel at 12 and winning the U.S. National Championship at 13, she retired at 16, stepping away from elite skating to prioritize her mental health and well-being. Her triumphant return to competition has yielded much more than success on the ice. With her refreshing individuality, Liu embodies a rare combination of authenticity and courage, making her a role model for anyone determined to define success on their own terms.

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Bestselling author and OB-GYN Mary Claire Haver, M.D., discusses Women’s Health, Reimagined: The Science of Thriving Through Midlife on Wednesday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. at The Granada Theatre

Wed, Apr 7 | 7:30 PM | Granada Theatre
Tickets start at $35 General Public / $16 UCSB students (current student ID required)
Tickets & Info: www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu / (805) 893-3535

Combining decades of clinical experience with a clear, practical approach to women’s midlife health, Dr. Mary Claire Haver has transformed the conversation around menopause by bringing the latest scientific research to millions of women seeking reliable, evidence-based guidance. A board-certified OB-GYN, Haver addresses hormones, nutrition, longevity and quality of life, empowering women to make informed decisions and advocate for their own care. Joining Haver is UCSB neuroscientist Dr. Emily Jacobs, whose groundbreaking research on the brain across pregnancy and menopause is reshaping our understanding of women’s health.

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MacArthur Fellow and Harvard professor Danielle Allen will address Academic Freedom for a Stronger Democracy, on Tuesday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall

Tue, May 11 | 7:30 PM | UCSB Campbell Hall
$20 General Public / FREE for UCSB students (current student ID required)
Tickets & Info: www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu / (805) 893-3535

At a time when universities and democratic societies are confronting questions of free speech, academic freedom and civic trust, Danielle Allen brings historical perspective and philosophical clarity to some of today’s most urgent public debates. A MacArthur Fellow and Harvard professor, Allen has devoted her career to exploring how citizens and institutions can strengthen democracy. Through scholarship grounded in both history and public life, she explores how democratic institutions can cultivate truth-seeking, intellectual diversity and the conditions for open inquiry.

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