Nuit des Idées
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Newcomb Institute - Malkin Sacks Commons 300 (Diboll Gallery)
Join us for the 2026 edition of Nuit des idées, featuring presentations by Tulane students on topics spanning the Enlightenment, Atlantic revolutions, Franco‑American political thought, the Haitian Revolution, and the circulation of ideas across the early modern world.
Following the student presentations, a panel of invited scholars and guests will open a broader discussion on the contemporary resonance of Enlightenment ideals, political power, sovereignty, religion, and democratic structures.
  • Newcomb Institute - Malkin Sacks Commons 300 (Diboll Gallery)
  • Tuesday, March 31
  • 6:00 – 9:00 PM
     
Reception at 6:00 PM
Program Begins at 7:00 PM
Speakers & Panelists
Opening Student Talks
  • Carey Bass, French and Psychology 
  • Aviva Blumenthal, French and English
  • Gaston Finger, French and Cell & Molecular Biology 
  • Charlotte Olson, French and Business Management 
  • Lucas Purcell, French
  • Alexie Smith, French and Cell & Molecular Biology 
  • Mary Evelyne White, French and Linguistics 
  • Nina Zimmermann, French 
Guest Panelists
  • Rodolphe Sambou, Consul General of France in New Orleans
  • Thibaut Bladek, Cultural Attaché & Director, Villa Albertine New Orleans
  • Chelsea Stieber, Tulane University
  • Masano Yamashita, University of Colorado Boulder
  • Fayçal Falaky, Tulane University
  • Jennifer Tsien, University of Virginia

Drawing on perspectives from both sides of the Atlantic, Night of Ideas will examine the Enlightenment ideals that helped shape democracies in the U.S. and France—such as reason and the rule of law, the pursuit of progress, freedom of expression, and equal access to education and culture—and will ask what might become of these guiding principles as we look ahead to the next 250 years. From pondering how to create optimal conditions for youth engagement and critical thinking to examining the notion of “progress” in the face of the rapidly evolving AI and bioengineering fields, Night of Ideas will tackle diverse topics with high stakes for our collective future.

Event sponsors: Department of French & Italian, Tulane University, Villa Albertine (New Orleans), Consulate General of France in New Orleans