Events in Boston

Beyond the Cradle: Envisioning a New Space Age 2026

2026-04-08T08:00:00

Building E14: Media Lab, 6th floor

conference

MIT's flagship Beyond the Cradle returns for its 10th anniversary, gathering space industry leaders, researchers, and visionaries to explore humanity's future beyond Earth. The event spotlights new projects, spin-offs, partnerships, and bold ideas, reflecting on centuries of exploration and technology, at MIT Media Lab in Boston.

Office Hours with IOP Visiting Fellow, Kevin McCarthy

2026-04-08T10:30:00

Harvard Institute of Politics

lecture

Join Kevin McCarthy, visiting fellow at Harvard's Institute of Politics, for an informal office-hours session. He'll discuss current events, policy priorities, and leadership in American politics, followed by an audience Q&A in the IOP.

Meeting the Moment: Culture and Democracy Panel

2026-04-08T13:30:00

Malkin Penthouse (Institute of Politics, Harvard Kennedy School)

lecture

Harvard Kennedy School hosts a cross-sector panel led by Anthony Foxx and Mary Skelton Roberts to explore how culture shapes democracy in Massachusetts and beyond. The discussion brings together public-sector and philanthropic leaders to offer sharp insights on civic culture, policy, and democratic engagement.

MIT OCW 25th Anniversary Symposium

2026-04-08T09:15:00

Building E38 (MIT Welcome Center)

conference

Join a half-day symposium at the MIT Welcome Center celebrating 25 years of MIT OpenCourseWare. Educators, learners, and open-knowledge leaders gather to honor OCW's global impact and chart the future of open education.

Grieg Piano Concerto with Lang Lang; Dvořák Symphony No. 9

2026-04-08T19:30:00

Symphony Hall

music

An unforgettable evening of classical music at Symphony Hall Boston: Lang Lang performs Grieg's Piano Concerto, paired with Dvořák's Symphony No. 9. The program showcases lyrical piano virtuosity against expansive orchestral color in a historic, acoustically renowned venue.

MITEI Presents: Advancing the Energy Transition with Fatih Birol

2026-04-08T17:15:00

Building 45 (MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing), 8th Floor

lecture

MIT Energy Initiative hosts Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA, for a keynote on the outlook for global energy markets and the implications for energy security, competitiveness, and sustainability. The talk covers policy shifts, market volatility, and potential scenarios shaping the energy transition at MIT's Building 45.

Understanding AI and Cyber Crime

2026-04-08T12:15:00

East Wing, 120

conference

CLS hosts a panel on the growing role of AI in crime at East Wing, 100 (Boston College) on April 8, 2026, at 12:15 UTC. Experts from the FBI Cyber Taskforce join the discussion to unpack risks, defenses, and policy implications in a university setting.

INM Distinguished Speaker Series: Nike COO Venky Alagirisamy

2026-04-08T16:00:00

Building 10, 250

lecture

MIT’s Initiative for New Manufacturing hosts a distinguished speaker series talk with Nike COO Venky Alagirisamy on 'Innovation at Scale: The Operating Model Behind Nike’s Global Business.' Attendees will learn how Nike ties design, manufacturing, and supply chains to scale innovation and leadership in global operations.

Inside the Newsroom: Covering Campaigns and Power in America ft. Alex Burns, POLITICO

2026-04-08T12:00:00

Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, Land Hall

lecture

Join the Institute of Politics for a lunchtime conversation with Alexander Burns, Politico’s Senior Executive Editor, North America. He discusses covering campaigns and power in American politics, drawing on his reporting on the Trump and Biden eras and insights from This Will Not Pass.

North Korea: The World's Most Extraordinary Personality Cult

2026-04-08T14:00:00

Malkin Penthouse (Institute of Politics, Harvard Kennedy School)

lecture

Journalist Jonathan Cheng discusses his book Korean Messiah at Harvard Kennedy School, offering a sweeping history of North Korea and the rise of the Kim dynasty. The talk draws on new research and interviews to illuminate the world's most extraordinary personality cult.

Developing Data Literacy: How to Tell When a Graph is Lying to You

2026-04-08T12:15:00

Law Library, Law Library 300

lecture

Law library talk where Avi Bauer shows lawyers how to spot bias and distortion in graphs, teaching practical cues to interpret charts in reports and news. Learn to identify misleading visuals and evaluate data responsibly in legal contexts.

Covering China in the Age of Xi

2026-04-08T16:30:00

Malkin Penthouse (Institute of Politics, Harvard Kennedy School)

lecture

Journalist Jonathan Cheng and former U.S. ambassador Nicholas Burns discuss the state of U.S.–China relations in today’s geopolitically charged landscape. Drawing on frontline reporting and diplomatic experience, they unpack diplomacy, trade, and security challenges in a talk at Harvard Kennedy School.

The Russo-Ukrainian War through the Eyes of a Historian

2026-04-08T17:30:00

CGIS South Building, Room S020 Belfer Case Study Room

lecture

Historian Serhii Plokhii offers a historical perspective on the Russo-Ukrainian War, examining drone use, hybrid warfare, and propaganda. This Harvard talk, held in the CGIS South Building Belfer Case Study Room, places the conflict within long-running European security and memory narratives.

A Conversation with Kevin McCarthy, 55th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

2026-04-08T19:30:00

Harvard Institute of Politics

lecture

Join the Harvard Institute of Politics for a candid conversation with Kevin McCarthy, the 55th Speaker of the U.S. House. The discussion explores congressional leadership, the legislative process, and the politics shaping America's future in a dynamic, accessible forum at the IOP.

Free Smoke and CO Detectors Installation

2026-04-08T09:00:00

community

Residents of Hyde Park and Mattapan can receive free installation and safety guidance for smoke and CO detectors in Boston. Trained volunteers will install detectors and explain testing and maintenance; this community service aims to boost home safety.

Open House: Climate Change: Science, Solutions, and Sustainability

2026-04-08T12:00:00

MIT Professional Education

lecture

Join MIT Professional Education for a virtual open house on Climate Change: Science, Solutions, and Sustainability. Discover how the course covers the forces shaping climate change, evaluates solutions across sectors, and applies insights to your professional context. Bring your questions and explore what the program offers before it begins.

Trading Goods for Lives: The Impact of NAFTA on Mortality

2026-04-08T16:00:00

Building E52, E52-432

lecture

MIT economist Amy Finkelstein is joined by Matthew Notowidigdo and Steven Shi for a panel on the impact of NAFTA on mortality. The discussion blends health economics and policy analysis, exploring mortality trends linked to trade and policy changes. Held in Building E51-315, Boston.

Charles Coe Memorial Celebration

2026-04-08T13:30:00

Central Library in Copley Square700 Boylston Street, Boston

literature

A Memorial Celebration honoring the literary legacy of Charles Coe, hosted by Boston Public Library and local arts partners at the Central Library in Copley Square. Expect readings, tributes, and musical moments celebrating Coe’s poetry and teaching.

Colloquium: Trajectories in Autism (Dr. Catherine Lord)

2026-04-08T16:00:00

Building 46, Room 3002 - Singleton Auditorium

lecture

Dr. Catherine Lord presents longitudinal findings from over 30 years following individuals referred for autism in early childhood, tracing trajectories into adulthood and extracting lessons for diagnosis and intervention. Hosted as part of the SCSB Colloquium Series, the talk at Singleton Auditorium offers rigorous, cutting-edge insights into autism development.

RLE 2026 ANNUAL HERMANN HAUS LECTURE

2026-04-08T16:00:00

Building 68, 181

lecture

Join the RLE 2026 Hermann Haus Lecture as Marko Lončar (Harvard SEAS) discusses high-performance integrated photonics. The talk covers advances in photonic integration, device design, and applications, set in Building 36, 428, Boston. An authoritative engineering lecture for students and professionals.

Sven Beckert (Harvard University)

2026-04-08T16:00:00

East Wing, 120

lecture

Historian Sven Beckert (Harvard) discusses the global cotton trade and the making of modern empire, drawing on his research and the Empire of Cotton. The talk, set in East Wing, 120 in Boston, blends archival insight with accessible analysis of capitalism, empire, and world history.

Climate Is Every Story: The Business of Climate

2026-04-08T12:00:00

245 Beacon, Schiller Institute Convening Space (rm 501)

conference

Moderated by Anissa Gardizy, this Boston College panel explores how climate considerations reshape business strategy. Edson Severnini, Gergana Nenkov, Josh Dorfman, and Michael Copley discuss the economic and marketing implications under the 'Climate Is Every Story' series.

Stone Inequality Book Talk: Jeffrey A. Winters

2026-04-08T12:00:00

Malkin Penthouse (Institute of Politics, Harvard Kennedy School)

lecture

Political scientist Jeffrey A. Winters discusses The Blind Spot: How Oligarchs Dominate Our Democracy at Harvard Kennedy School. A timely book-talk exploring how wealth concentration shapes democracy, followed by a Q&A.

Education’s Role in the Sustainable Development Goals

2026-04-08T12:00:00

Malkin Penthouse (Institute of Politics, Harvard Kennedy School)

lecture

Join Priyadharshani Joshi of UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report for a thoughtful discussion on how education powers progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on climate action. The Harvard Kennedy School event links education policy to SDG outcomes, offering insights into global partnerships, equity in learning, and actionable strategies.

Showing 24 of 3063 events