Geschke Series - Nantucket Atheneum

WHERE NANTUCKET MEETS THE WORLD OF IDEAS.

Global perspectives, thoughtful voices, and conversations that travel far beyond the island.

Since 2005, the Geschke Series has brought some of the most distinguished voices in journalism, science, literature, education, and culture to the Nantucket Atheneum, continuing its legacy of thoughtful dialogue dating back to 1834.

More than just a series of talks, the Geschke Series is a carefully curated intellectual experience. Each season, we invite speakers whose work shapes how we think about the world we live in now: its ideas, its challenges, and its possibilities. These evenings offer conversations that challenge assumptions, spark insight, and illuminate new perspectives.

Over nearly two decades, the series has opened the door to discussions on climate, culture, democracy, health, technology, and global affairs, all in the intimate setting of Nantucket. Every lecture is chosen for its depth and resonance, the kind of talk that gives shape to a summer evening and stays with you long after the lights dim.

Whether you are a seasonal visitor, a year-round islander, or a longtime supporter of the Atheneum, the Geschke Series is an event where ideas are taken seriously, dialogue is unhurried, and community gathers around the pleasure of thoughtful exchange.

Tickets available on June 1st.

Danielle Allen, Geschke Series, Geschke Lectures

Radical Duke: How One Aristocrat ― and the American Revolution ― Transformed Britain

Danielle Allen is a distinguished American political theorist and the James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University, where she also directs the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation.

A graduate of Princeton and the University of Cambridge, she holds two PhDs — one in Classics and another in Government — reflecting her deep expertise in both ancient and modern democratic theory. Her highly acclaimed scholarship has earned her prestigious honors, including a MacArthur Fellowship and the Library of Congress’s Kluge Prize. In addition to her academic work, she is the author of numerous influential books, such as Our Declaration and Cuz, and has served as a longtime columnist for The Washington Post. Beyond the classroom, Allen is a committed civic leader who made history as the first Black woman to run for statewide office in Massachusetts during her 2022 gubernatorial campaign.

Attendees will receive a copy of Radical Duke.

Dr. Randall Davis, Geschke Series, Geschke Lectures

Artificial Intelligence: What is it? Why all the sudden fuss? What can it do now and in the near future?

Dr. Randall Davis is a Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at MIT and a Research Director at the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL).

A pioneer in the fields of knowledge-based systems and human-computer interaction, his research focuses on developing software that understands natural, multimodal communication through sketching and gesture. Dr. Davis is also a leading expert in software intellectual property and co-developed the DCTClock, an AI-driven tool for the early detection of cognitive impairment that was named one of Time’s Best Inventions of 2021.

Over his distinguished career, he has served as President of the AAAI and received the U.S. Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service for his contributions to the Scientific Advisory Board.

Dr. Jeremy Noble, Geschke Series, Geschke Lectures

Creativity, Connection and Health: Urgency and Opportunity

Jeremy Nobel, MD, MPH, is a primary care physician, public health practitioner, and award-winning poet who serves on the faculty of both Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

As the founder and president of The Foundation for Art & Healing, he has gained national recognition for Project UnLonely, a signature initiative that addresses the public health crisis of social isolation through creative expression. His work bridges the scientific and humanistic disciplines, most notably in his 2023 book, Project UnLonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection, which explores how arts-based engagement can foster meaningful connection and improve long-term health outcomes.

Tickets available on June 1st.

Dr. Paul Starr, Geschke Series, Geschke Lectures

How Shared Trust in Science and Medicine Broke Down, and Distrust Took Over

Paul Starr is a professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University and co-founder and founding co-editor of The American Prospect magazine.

He received the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction and Bancroft Prize in American History for The Social Transformation of American Medicine (1983; updated edition, 2017). His most recent book is American Contradiction: Revolution and Revenge from the 1950s to Now.

Dr. Richard Haass, Geschke Series, Geschke Lectures

As the World Churns

Dr. Richard Haass is an American diplomat and foreign policy expert who served as the president of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) from 2003 to 2023, where he is now president emeritus. Throughout his distinguished career in government, he held several senior positions, including Director of Policy Planning for the U.S. Department of State and senior director for Near East and South Asian affairs on the National Security Council.

A prolific author, Haass has written or edited 14 books on American foreign policy and international relations, including the 2023 bestseller The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens, which addresses domestic political challenges. He is currently a senior counselor at Centerview Partners and a frequent commentator on global affairs for NBC and MSNOW.

Previous Geschke Lectures

2024:

Mitzi Perdue (International Correspondence), Dr. R. Max Holmes (Environment), Dr. Jonathan Koppell (Equal access to education), Bianca Bosker (Author/Art), Clara Bingham in conversation with Anne Finucane

2023:

Mike Barnicle (Journalism and Democracy), Dr. Susan Natali (Climate Crisis and the Arctic), Stephen Schwarzman (Finance), Michael Suarez (Education), Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar (Nature, Health and Aging)

2022:

Tracy Edwards: “Maiden Full Circle.” The Future of Nuclear Energy: Panel Discussion. Daniel Yergin and Angela Stent: “Turbulent World: Russia, Ukraine and Energy in Crisis.” New England Aquarium, Seaside Conversation: Sharks, Sea Turtles & Whales

2021:

George Friedman, author of The Storm Before the Calm; Theodore R. Johnson, author of When the Stars Begin to Fall; Ken Auletta, writer for The New Yorker & Robert Williams, former president and CEO of National Public Broadcasting and National Public Media; Neurosurgeon Neal Kassell & John Grisham, best-seller novelist; Sylvia Earle National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence.

2019:

Kara Swisher, New York Times columnist on technology; Jon Alterman, Director of Middle East Program at Center for Strategic and International Studies; Chris Lee, Hawaii Legislature; Dr. Richard Haass, Council On Foreign Relations and International Politics; Hon. Kevin Rudd, The Asia Society.

2018:

Dr. John Holdren, climate change science expert; Jon B. Alterman, What Do We Remember When We Remember Jerusalem?; Gen. David Petraeus, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and commanded U.S. and International Security Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq; R. Nicholas Burns, founder of the Future of Diplomacy Project.

2017:

Dr. Jerrold Rosenbaum, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University Understanding Depression; Robert Traver, Villanova University, Managing Polluntants from Stormwater; Peter Baker & Susan Glasser, New York Times & POLITICO, Current Events & Washington Politics; Richard Haass, National Security Council, A World In Disarray; Panel Discussion: Making A Difference In Africa With Pam Allyn (LitWorld) and Vanessa Kerry (Seed Global Health).

2016:

David Mindell, MIT and author of Our Robots Our Selves; Jay Famiglietti, University of California & NASA, Water Security; Robin Wright Washington Post and the New Yorker, foreign policy; Dr. Wayne Shreffler, Massachusetts General Hospital, food allergies.

2015:

Susan Glasser, POLITICO Editor; Ajay Royan, Mithril Capital Management co-founder; Roz Chast, New Yorker cartoonist; Dr. Rudolph Tanzi, Alzheimer’s disease research.

2014:

Dr. Walter Willett, Harvard University nutritionist; Esther Dyson, chairman of EDventure Holdings and founder of HICcup; Joe Klein, author and TIME Magazine columnist; And, Peter Baker, New York Times White House correspondent.

2013:

David Owen, a New Yorker author ; John Donoghue, a Brown University neuroscientist; Harvard University astronomer Dr. Robert Kirshner ; Maureen Orth, Vanity Fair special correspondent, and Chuck Todd, Chief White House Correspondent for NBC News; and United Nations prosecutor Richard Goldstone.

2012:

Jill Abramson, Executive Editor of the New York Times; Lawrence Lessig, Harvard University Ethics professor and author of Republic, Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress; Panel Discussion on the Economy, moderated by David Gregory, NBC News with Jack Welch, General Electric, Louis V Gerstner, Jr., IBM and Bob Wright, NBC; And, Louis Susman, United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James.

2011:

Ian Frazier, author and New Yorker staff writer; David Gregory NBC moderator of Meet The Press; Richard N. Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations and author of 11 books; and, Joseph Nye, Jr., Dean Emeritus of the Kennedy School, Harvard University.

2010:

Computer technology innovators Chuck Geschke (Adobe) and Bob Metcalfe (3Com); New York Times Columnist and Author Thomas Friedman; Washington Post Columnist and MSNBC Commentator Eugene Robinson; and President of Pew Research Center Andrew Kohut

2009:

Pulitzer-Prize-winning biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin; Presidential Advisor David Gergen; CBS News journalist Lesley Stahl; and Carnegie Corporation President Vartan Gregorian.

2008:

Print and television journalist Mike Barnicle; former Delaware Governor Pete du Pont; NPR journalist Mara Liasson; Washington Post journalist Robin Wright; PBS journalist Gwen Ifill.

2007:

Committee for Economic Development, Charles Kolb; MIT President Dr. Susan Hockfield; Natural Resources Defense Council, Frances Beinecke; Presidential Advisor David Gergen; Project HOPE Dr. John Howe III; Business Week columnists Jack and Suzy Welch.

2006:

National Review journalist Jay Nordlinger; NPR President Kevin Klose; New York Times editor Jill Abramson; Jay Rosen of New York University; CBS News journalist Katie Couric; CBS News anchor Lesley Stahl; NBC News anchor Tim Russert; PBS television host David Brancaccio; Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Henninger; Concord Monitor photographer Daniel Habib.

2005:

Authors Patricia Ebrey, Nancy Berliner, Jerome Silbergeld, Andrea and Lynde McCormick, Neil Baldwin, David McCullough, Joseph S. Nye, Jr., Father Robert Drinan, and U.S. Senator Bill Frist.

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