In an era of rapid political change, shifting global alliances, and deepening partisan divides, the Helen Edison Lecture Series is honored to welcome Ambassador Jeff Flake—former U.S. Senator from Arizona, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, and author of Conscience of a Conservative:  A Rejection of Destructive Politics and a Return to Principle—for a conversation exploring the challenges and opportunities of democratic governance in today’s volatile political climate.

Flake’s career has spanned pivotal moments in recent American history: navigating congressional gridlock, representing U.S. interests abroad amid global uncertainty, and advocating for principled leadership in the public square. His tenure offers a unique vantage point on the pressures within Washington and the larger questions of constitutional balance, institutional resilience, and civic trust.

The event begins at 6:00 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. for a book signing.

Livestream Available!

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About the Helen Edison Lecture Series

Founded through a visionary endowment from philanthropist Helen Edison, the Helen Edison Lecture Series at UC San Diego was established to promote understanding and foster dialogue on the most pressing issues of our time. For more than three decades, the series has brought presidents, poets, diplomats, scholars, and artists to the university—voices whose ideas challenge convention, illuminate the human condition, and inspire civic reflection. Its enduring legacy lies in advancing public conversation that bridges divides and strengthens the fabric of democratic society.