Prospects for Anglo-American Conservatism in the Tradition of Russell Kirk and Roger Scruton
Join us on June 27 and 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.
REGISTER

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, UST
  • Michael Federici, MTSU
  • Micah Watson, Calvin University

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

  • Shoval Ronen, Princeton
  • Glenn Moots, Northwood
  • 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

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

Conference location:

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA

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