ED TALKS

Sharing ideas that change how we learn

Overview

ED Talks are public presentations that bring Michigan faculty expertise to communities statewide. Each talk makes educational research accessible and actionable—connecting scholarship with the real challenges people face in schools, workplaces, and communities.

Through plain language and engaging stories, ED Talks foster dialogue between researchers and practitioners. Topics range from how children learn to read to what makes mentorship effective to designing inclusive classrooms.

How It Works

Events happen several times each semester in partner communities. Each 20- to 30-minute talk is followed by open discussion that invites audience insight and questions. Speakers come from across disciplines—engineering, medicine, art, education—showing that learning innovation is everywhere.

Talks are free and open to the public. Recordings and summaries appear afterward so ideas keep circulating long after the event. Attend in person, join online, or propose a talk of your own.

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Upcoming Ed Talks

ED Talks launch across Michigan in Winter 2026. Join our mailing list for speaker announcements and locations.

Come enjoy a sweet treat and make new friends while testing out U-M's new conversation game, The Pluralism Playdeck. The Pluralism Playdeck is a low-key scaffolded card game designed to allow university students to practice the soft skills they need to engage in compassionate and honest conversations about hot-button issues across ideological and demographic differences. You'll learn about yourself. You'll learn about others. You'll develop a skill set that will serve you well in both social and professional settings.

04/16/2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
LSA Building, Room 1040