Renowned sociologist and bestselling author Eric Klinenberg joins us for a discussion of the importance of social infrastructure in fostering the community connections that fortify civic life for our 2023 Prichard Lecture, dedicated this year to mark the 25th anniversary of the William T. Young Library.

Drawing on research from his book Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life, Klinenberg shows that the future of cities and democratic societies rests not only on shared values, but on social infrastructure: the libraries, parks, and civic organizations where crucial connections are formed.

A catered reception and book signing will be held on the First Floor of the Young Library directly following the lecture. This event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are required.

Eric Klinenberg is the Helen Gould Shepard Professor of Social Science and Director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University. He has appeared on TV programs and podcasts (like This American Life) and written for The Guardian, Rolling Stone, The New York Times Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal, among others. NPR named Palaces for the People as one of its Best Books of 2018. Klinenberg earned his BA from Brown, and his master's and PhD from University of California, Berkeley.