Scott MorgensternProfessor of Political ScienceUniversity of Pittsburgh Given their role in implementing policy and executive orders, bureaucrats are uniquely positioned to respond to executive overreach. Their attitudes toward democracy, however, have avoided significant scrutiny. This talk thus explores their commitment to democracy using an original survey of nearly 12,000 Latin American bureaucrats. To explain the likelihood of their commitment to democracy, the focus is on technocratic orientation, their alignment with the president, and the level of and change in the country’s democratic context. For more information, click here. Sponsored by the Kellogg Institute for International Studies.

Celebrate Godzilla's 70th anniversary by folding a paper monster with Notre Dame Japanese students! Earn a prize for dressing like Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, or other monster! Ages 5 and up are welcome. Godzilla Fest is a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the 1954 release of the film "Godzilla" by Toho Studios in Tokyo. The giant monster, who attacked Japan after being awakened by hydrogen bomb testing, went on to become a global icon. Godzilla has starred in 38 films and has appeared in comic books, games, novelizations, advertisements, toys, and more. The king of the monsters has also been interpreted widely as a symbol for the destructive nature of humankind—from nuclear war to climate change.Godzilla Fest is organized by the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies at the University of Notre Dame, the St. Joseph County Public Library, and the Browning Cinema at Notre Dame's DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. More information is available at asia.nd.edu/godzilla. Originally published at asia.nd.edu.

Sponsored by the Notre Dame Ethics Initiative and the Notre Dame Institute for Ethics and the Common Good Honoring the legacy of legendary Notre Dame President Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., Fr. TED Talks is a two-night festival, October 28-29, on Notre Dame’s campus featuring short keynote talks from every corner of the Notre Dame community as we gather to consider all of the ways the pillars of Catholic social tradition animate our lives together. A “Fr. TED Talk” is a ten-minute address by members of the Notre Dame community (students, alumni, staff, and faculty) on one big idea from the Catholic social tradition that is worth exploring. Featuring stories, points of view, and personal flair – a great Fr. Ted talk inspires the audience to take a deeper look at the idea. Each evening, several Notre Dame community members–students, alumni, staff, and faculty–will give TED-style talks. Speakers will be chosen through an application process, which is open to all members of the campus community. If selected, speakers will receive support in preparation from a distinguished mentor on campus. There will be food and door prizes for audience members, awards for speakers, as well as a few surprises during the festival.If you have an idea for a Fr Ted Talk you'd like to give, click here to submit a video interview proposal! You'll pitch your idea by recording answers to a short set of questions. Apply by September 30!  Originally published at forum2024.nd.edu.

Directors Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala are experts at creating unsettling moods in cozy spaces that are slightly off-kilter. In Goodnight Mommy, a mother (Susanne Wuest) returns to her countryside lake house after plastic surgery with her head wrapped in bandages and obscuring her face. Her ten-year-old twins (Elias Schwarz and Lukas Schwarz) are disturbed by a shift in her post-operation behavior and begin to doubt if the woman underneath all the gauze is in fact their mother. GET TICKETS!