photo by: Courtesy: Dole Institute

The Dole Institute of Politics on the West Campus of the University of Kansas.

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is headlining a group of fall speakers at Lawrence’s Dole Institute of Politics who will share insights about the upcoming election and world affairs.

“This historic election season provides many opportunities for rich discussions on ongoing shifts in political and campaign dynamics, the information landscape, and generational perspectives on leadership and policy at home and abroad,” Audrey Coleman, director of the Dole Institute, said in an announcement of the center’s fall schedule. “This fall’s headlining guests, fellows and partners will provide insights that address this complexity and move the political conversation forward.”

Hagel, a former Republican U.S. senator from Nebraska, served as secretary of defense in the Obama administration from 2013 to 2015. He’ll be in Lawrence at 7 p.m. on Oct. 3 for a presentation on “The Candidates and America’s Role in the World.” The presentation will examine where the presidential candidates stand on issues such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and on other topics that affect America’s standing on the world stage.

The U.S. presidential campaign also will be the focus of a 7 p.m. Oct. 17 event featuring Karen Tumulty, an associate editor and columnist at The Washington Post. Tumulty will discuss the current presidential campaign and how she believes it may reshape the nation’s political landscape for years to come.

Both events will be moderated by Jerry Seib, the former Washington executive editor of the The Wall Street Journal and Dole Institute visiting fellow.

Other events scheduled as part of the fall season for the Dole Institute include:

• Author Sasha Issenberg will discuss his new book, “The Lie Detectives: In Search for a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age,” at 7 p.m. Sept. 4.

• A joint series with the Command and General Staff College’s Department of Military History at Fort Leavenworth will present the “World Leaders in Wartime” series at 3 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month throughout the fall, beginning in September. Leaders discussed will include Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Vladimir Putin, among others.

• Former members of Congress will be featured in the Congress in the 21st Century series, which will be at 4 p.m. on Sept. 18, Oct. 30 and Nov. 13. The speakers haven’t yet been announced but will include both Democrats and Republicans who formerly served in Congress.

• “China in the Heartland” will feature a conversation with retired U.S. diplomat Susan Thornton, who has worked extensively in Eurasia and East Asia. Jack Zhang, assistant professor of political science at KU, will moderate the event, which is set for 7 p.m. on Oct. 10.

• The institute’s Dole Leadership Prize, traditionally the largest presentation of the year for the center, will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24. The speaker and recipient of that prize, which comes with a $25,000 award, has not yet been announced. The institute will announce the recipient later this fall.

• A “Tribute to Veterans Gala” will take place during the evening of Nov. 10. The event will include a dance floor and live music by the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, in addition to a salute to veterans by members of KU’s ROTC program. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Additional details can be had at the Dole Institute.

• The institute will host two sessions of its Post Election Conference, which brings together journalists and experts to discuss election results. At 4 p.m. on Nov. 20, Kansas City Star political reporter Jonathan Shorman will host a panel that reviews the results of Kansas elections. At 1 p.m. on Dec. 11, Seib and former Dole Institute director Bill Lacy will host a panel that reviews the presidential election and races for Congress.

Events will take place at the Dole Institute, 2350 Petefish Drive.