International Speaker Series

The International Speaker Series at UNC Charlotte is a long-standing initiative that offers the campus community an opportunity to hear from internationally renowned experts in various fields. The speakers discuss topics that range from economics, to globalization, to foreign policy. Consequently, attending an International Speaker Series event provides a platform to stay current on pertinent topics. This initiative is a joint effort, co-sponsored by the: Charlotte Global, World Affairs Council of Charlotte, and Atkins Library.

If you plan to attend, please complete the registration form.

Faculty who want to participate are requested to indicate if they are attending with a class and/or need arrangements for an extra credit sign-in sheet at the event’s welcome desk.


Upcoming Event

The AI Power Race: America’s Domestic Resilience, Critical Minerals and geopolitical implication by Asha castleberry-hernadez

Event Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026

Event Time: 12:00-1:00 PM

Location: Bonnie E. Cone Center 161

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a defining pillar of national and global power.  The future of AI will shape America’s economic competitiveness, workforce, infrastructure, military capabilities, energy demands, and national security while simultaneously transforming the strategic relationship between the United States and the world. This presentation examines the emerging AI competition through both a domestic and geopolitical lens. At home, the United States must address the opportunities and disruptions created by AI. 

Past Events

The Future of International Education: Virtualizing the World by Dr. Tomislav z. LonginoviĆ

Event Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Event Time: 2:00-3:00 PM

Location: Popp Martin Student Union Room 262


In his talk, “The Future of International Education: Virtualizing the World – Teaching Istria (Croatia) to Americans: Notes from an Emeritus Professor” Dr. Longinović explored how technology, AI, and digital learning are reshaping cross-cultural exchange, redefining global citizenship, and expanding access to education beyond borders.
Dr. Longinović is one of today’s most compelling voices in global education and cultural studies. He holds degrees in Clinical Psychology, Creative Writing, and Comparative Literature from the University of Belgrade and the University of Iowa, and served as a Professor at the
University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Visiting Professor at Harvard. Don’t miss this opportunity to examine language and cultural transformation in a rapidly globalizing world.


Event Date:October 3, 2018 – 3:00 PM to October 4, 2018 – 4:59 PM Location:University Cone Center, Room 208 Ms. Kirsti Kauppi became Ambassador of Finland to the United States in September 2015. Prior to her appointment as the Finnish Ambassador to the US, she began her career in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of […]

Event Date:September 5, 2018 – 3:30 PM to September 6, 2018 – 4:59 PM Location:Atkins Library, Halton Reading Room Ryan Crocker is a Diplomat in Residence at the Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, for the academic year 2017-2018. He served as U.S ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon. Ambassador Crocker has received […]

Event Date:March 15, 2018 – 3:30 PM to March 16, 2018 – 4:59 PM Location:Atkins Library, Halton Reading Room Nancy Lindborg has served as President of the United States Institute of Peace, an independent institution founded by Congress to provide practical solutions for preventing and resolving violent conflict around the world since February of 2015. […]