Southern Illinois University System

01/07/2024 | Press release | Archived content

SIU hosts global philanthropy president to discuss peace, education, democracy programs

July 01, 2024

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Dame Louise Richardson, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, will join Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a virtual conversation on July 17.

The discussion, via Zoom at 10 a.m., is free and open to the public, but registration to view the conversation is required. The discussion is part of the institute's "Understanding Our New World" discussion series. Visit paulsimoninstitute.org/events to register.

Richardson will join John Shaw, institute director, to discuss the philanthropy organization's initiatives to bolster peace, education, democracy and local journalism.

"The Carnegie Corporation is one of the most respected foundations in the world, with highly regarded programs in peace and security, education and democracy," Shaw said.

"Ms. Richardson has been a global leader in higher education for more than three decades and is a highly regarded authority on terrorism. As the president of the Carnegie Corporation, she has developed a clear and compelling strategy to tackle some of the great challenges that confront the world. We are very eager to learn her views on how education and philanthropy can help solve the enormous challenges we are facing."

A native of Ireland, Richardson has an undergraduate degree from Trinity College Dublin, a master's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a doctorate from Harvard University. Richardson taught government at Harvard for more than 20 years.

Richardson joined Carnegie Corporation of New York in January 2023 as its 13th president. Prior to that, she served as vice chancellor and head of Oxford University from 2016 to 2022, becoming the first woman to lead that university. She was vice chancellor of the University of St. Andrews from 2009 to 2016 and has served as the executive dean of Harvard's Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Richardson served on Carnegie Corporation's board of trustees from 2013 to 2022.

In June 2022, Richardson was appointed a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her service to higher education.

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Richardson on the registration form or email questions to [email protected].

More information, a list of the institute's upcoming events and past speakers and events are available.