Mark Blitz

Mark Blitz, the Fletcher Jones Professor of Political Philosophy, published Aristotle’s Political Philosophy: An Inquiry into the Nicomachean Ethics, Politics, and Rhetoric (University of Notre Dame Press, 2026). In the book, Blitz explores the complexity of Aristotle’s political writings and examines the foundations of political action, devoting special attention to Aristotle’s understanding of virtue, justice, slavery, education, friendship, statesmanship, and speech.

Albert Park

Albert Park, the Bank of America Associate Professor of Pacific Basin Studies and Associate Dean of the Faculty for Research, presented the 2026 Manson Freeman Lecture at Wesleyan University’s College of East Asian Studies. His talk, “Reimagining Environmentalism in the Age of Authoritarianism: Historical Reflections on the Drives for Vernacular Ecology in South Korea for the Present,” explored different pathways for environmentalism. 

Manfred Keil

Manfred Keil, Associate Professor of Economics and the Associate Director of the Lowe Institute of Political Economy, was appointed to the Council of Economic Advisors for the California State Controller’s Office. In this role, Keil will help advise State Controller Malia Cohen on economic policy issues, such as the proposed California Wealth Tax on billionaires, and work with fellow councilmembers to formulate responses on a variety of economic issues facing the state.