Join us on Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, 2025, for a very special conference that considers the contemporary prospects for the Anglo-American intellectual conservative tradition.
Inspired by the complementary visions of Russell Kirk and Roger Scruton, this conference explores the humanistic and philosophical foundations of the conservative tradition in the English-speaking world. It also explores the conservative contribution to culture, religion, education, and more. In a time when the intellectual reputation of conservatism is increasingly endangered, the scholarship of Kirk and Scruton can help ground and guide us.
Jeffrey O. Nelson, Ferenc Hörcher, and Daniel Pitt have identified scholars from around the globe and across the United States to address the prospects for the Anglo-American intellectual conservative tradition through the prism of these two iconic and complementary thinkers—and the traditions of thought they represent. These scholars will be joined by some of the most promising members of the rising generation.
Details on Attending
Where
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
When
Date: Friday, June 28 - Saturday, June 29, 2025
Time: See conference agenda below for times.
Program Supporters
Thank you to the following supporters who are helping bring this event to the Ford:
Conference Agenda
Friday, June 27
12:30-1:00 p.m.
Registration
1:00-1:30 p.m.
Welcome by Gleaves Whitney, Executive Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Session 1: The Philosophical Foundations of Conservatism
James Matthew Wilson, University of St. Thomas, Houston
Michael Federici, Middle Tennessee State University
Micah Watson, Calvin University
Paul Mueller, American Institute for Economic Research
3:00-3:30 p.m.
Refreshment Break
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Session 2: Friends of the Permanent Things
Jeff Nelson, The Russell Kirk Center
Timothy Fuller, Colorado College
Michael Lucchese, Law & Liberty
Christina Lambert, Hillsdale College
Saturday, June 28
8:30-9:00 a.m.
Registration
9:00–10:30 a.m.
Session 3: Conservatism and Cultural Renewal
Ferenc Hörcher, Ludovika University/University of Hull/Institute of Philosophy of the HUN-REN
Christopher Scalia, AEI
Ishaan Jajodia, Yale University
Fisher Derderian, Scruton Legacy Society
10:30-11:00 a.m.
Refreshment Break
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Session 4: Conservatism and Religion
Ronen Shoval, Argaman Institue for Advanced Studies, Jerusalem
Glenn Moots, Northwood University
Emma Webb, Writer & Broadcaster
Mathis Bitton, Harvard University
12:30-2:30 p.m.
Lunch - On Your Own
2:30-4:00 p.m.
Session 5: Conservatism and Education
Daniel Pitt, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Buckingham
Darrell Falconburg, The Russell Kirk Center
Matt Beech, University of Hull
Ben Lockerd, Grand Valley State University
4:00-4:30 p.m.
Refreshment Break
4:30-6:00 p.m.
Session 6: Kirk, Scruton, and Contemporary Conservatism
Jeff Polet, Ford Presidential Foundation
John Grove, Law & Liberty
Bracy Bersnak, Christendom College
Chris Fear, University of Hull
6:00-6:15 p.m.
Closing Remarks by Jeff Nelson, Executive Director of the Russell Kirk Center
