Shaylyn Romney Garrett- celebrated author, speaker and social entrepreneur- will present “America’s Upswing” at 6:30 p.m. March 31 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) will host a free public lecture by Amy Garrett on March 31, 2026, as the culminating event of the 2025-26 E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues. The lecture, sponsored by the Center for Great Plains Studies, will explore political polarization, social isolation, economic inequality, and strategies for building stronger social connections in the United States.
Garrett, co-author of the award-winning book “The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again”, brings a deeply researched and hopeful perspective on rebuilding community and civic trust in contemporary society. Her work has been featured in NPR, PBS Newshour, the BBC, Time magazine, and The New York Times.
The lecture will take place at the Lied Center, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Seating is general admission, first-come, first-served. Tickets can be reserved online through the Lied Center, by calling 402-472-4747, or by visiting the box office at 301 N. 12th St.
Following her lecture, Garrett will participate in a Q&A moderated by Margaret Jacobs, Director of the Center for Great Plains Studies. Attendees will also have the chance to enter a ticket giveaway for The Moth performance on April 17 at the Lied Center.
Earlier in the day, Garrett will host a “Global Cafe: Coffee and Conversation Hour” from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. in the first-floor atrium of Louise Pound Hall. This free event, open to all Husker students, will feature a moderated discussion on her research and offer networking opportunities over coffee and pastries. The Global Cafe is hosted by the University Honors Program in partnership with the School of Global Integrative Studies and the Peace Corps Prep program.
The 2025-26 Thompson Forum series, themed “Belonging: Finding Connection in a Lonely World”, examines the public health challenges of loneliness and isolation and emphasizes the importance of social connection for community well-being. This season is co-sponsored by the Lincoln Community Foundation and the College of Business.
The E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues, established in 1988, is a cooperative initiative of the Cooper Foundation, Lied Center, and University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The forum brings diverse perspectives on global and public policy issues to Nebraska, promoting understanding and dialogue among students, faculty, and the public.
