Panel event will discuss global implications of the U.S. presidential election

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of International Affairs (SIA) is hosting a panel event to explore how the upcoming U.S. presidential election will impact politics and policies around the world. The event, Global Implications of the U.S. Presidential Election, will take place 4-5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9, in the Sutliff Auditorium of the Lewis Katz Building.

The event will include panelist remarks and questions from the audience. Registration is required to attend.

The expert panel features four SIA professors who will examine the presidential election through various international affairs lenses, including foreign policy, economics, trade, and the global media.

Dr. Mitchell Smith, director of SIA and professor of international affairs, will deliver opening remarks and serve as moderator for the event.

“Along with the massive domestic political stakes of which we are well aware, the upcoming U.S. presidential election will have crucial international implications that may be less evident,” Smith said. “The faculty in the School of International Affairs have the expertise to illuminate these implications. I look forward to the opportunity for SIA to share our insights with the Penn State campus and the surrounding community. I anticipate that many perspectives will be represented in the audience, and I expect to learn from the discussion portion of the event.”

Panelists and topics:

• “Implications for International Growth and Economic Architecture,” Dr. Johannes Fedderke, professor of international affairs and African studies;
• “What International Relations Theory (and Party Platforms) Tell Us About the Foreign Policy of the Next President,” Ambassador Dennis Jett, professor of international affairs;
• “Accelerating Strategic Decline: America’s High-Tech Competition with China and the Future of U.S. Influence in the Middle East,” Dr. Flynt Leverett, professor of international affairs and Asian studies; and
• “The Serious Political Effects of Unserious Global Media,” Dr. Sophia McClennen, professor of international affairs and comparative literature.

Following the panel, Smith will open the floor to questions from the audience. SIA encourages all members of the Penn State and broader community to attend and to be part of the discussion. Register at sia.psu.edu/events/global-implications-2024-election.

Penn State encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Alyssa Wroblewski (abw5948@psu.edu) in advance of your participation in this event.

SIA provides an innovative education for the next generation of global leaders through its professional, hands-on, and interdisciplinary Master of International Affairs degree program. Its faculty includes internationally recognized scholars and seasoned former officials who focus on practical, experiential learning to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and global perspective to make a difference in the world. SIA graduates shape policies, drive innovation, and foster understanding across cultures. Learn more at sia.psu.edu.