The Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics is a living memorial to Oregon's former U.S. senator. Housed at the School of Law at the University of Oregon, the Center brings scholars and activists to Oregon who exemplify the Wayne Morse ideals of foresight, intellectual independence, and integrity.

During 2007-09 our theme will be Democracy and Citizenship in the 21st Century. Professor Arturo Escobar held the Wayne Morse Chair of Law and Politics in 2007-08 and discussed political trends in Latin America. Professor Mark Graber, a political scientist and law scholar from the University of Maryland, will occupy the Wayne Morse Chair in 2008-09.

Programs during 2007-08 focused on religion and democracy, immigration and citizenship, trends in Latin America, and democracy at the workplace, and a film festival captured human stories of democratic struggles. During 2008-09 the inquiry will focus on polarization, electoral and voting issues, race and politics, and broader conceptions of citizenship, including gender, culture and citizenship.

As we move into the new year the theme of inquiry for 2009-2011 will be Climate Ethics and Climate Equity.
We will host visitors and resident scholars to examine overarching ethical issues as we confront climate change as well as solutions that focus on environmental justice and equity. We will host Dale Jamieson, Maxine Burkett and Vandana Shiva as occupants of the Wayne Morse Chair of Law and Politics.