Inspired by Yoko Ono’s peace activism, this two-event conversation series, moderated by political scientist and renowned international relations expert Janice Gross Stein, pairs artists with academics to discuss how governments and citizens are shaping their future in the digital space.

More so than ever, an open and accessible internet continues to further the goals of civic engagement and free speech. Tech tools like Psiphon, a firewall circumvention app, are helping protesters in Iran evade government internet censorship.

Social justice movements like Black Lives Matter began with a hashtag, demonstrating how the Internet has enabled horizontal organizing networks.

Yet as governments and ISP gatekeepers now move towards jeopardizing net neutrality and free speech, the efforts towards ensuring the internet remains a public utility will be explored by those that work at the intersection of art, technology and political economy.