Author, linguist, philosopher and activist Noam Chomsky to deliver virtual lecture at McMaster

The lecture is a joint project between the Centre for Scholarship in the Public Interest and the Wilson Institute for Canadian History.

By Sara Laux September 28, 2021

Portrait of a grey-haired and bearded older man.
World-renowned activist and philosopher Noam Chomsky’s lecture is a joint project between the Centre for Scholarship in the Public Interest and the Wilson Institute for Canadian History.

Noam Chomsky, a pioneer in the field of psycholinguistics and influential public intellectual, will be giving a virtual lecture at McMaster on Monday, October 4 at 7 p.m., hosted jointly by the Wilson Institute for Canadian History and the Centre for Scholarship in the Public Interest.

Chomsky will give a formal lecture, titled “Rethinking the civic imagination and manufactured ignorance in the post-pandemic world.” Following the talk, Ian McKay, the director of the Wilson Institute, will interview Chomsky on the critical lessons of the pandemic.

While Chomsky rose to prominence with his ground-breaking theories on language acquisition, he has also been a long-time outspoken critic and commenter on politics, especially American foreign policy.

It’s this dissidence and influence, says Henry Giroux, director of the Centre for Scholarship in the Public Interest, that makes him uniquely well suited to offer insights on the state of the post-pandemic world.

“Chomsky has, throughout his entire life, used his knowledge, skills and stature as a public intellectual to advocate for social justice.” – Henry Giroux, director of the Centre for Scholarship in the Public Interest

“He has inspired and energized educators, artists and other cultural workers to unleash the energy, insights and passion necessary to keep alive the spirit, promises and ideals of a radical democracy. He models his own work on the social responsibility of intellectuals to embrace a notion of education and politics that furthers the public imagination and the ongoing struggle for a just and equal society.”

Chomsky’s talk will be livestreamed via YouTube.

Alt: Bev Jacobs speaks into a mic in front of a backdrop branded with logos of McMaster University, the Indigenous Studies department, the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge and Indigenous Student Services.

A warm McMaster welcome for the new Vice-Provost Indigenous

At a community celebration that featured drumming, singing and laughter, Beverly Jacobs shared moving remarks about her life, her experiences as a Haudenosaunee woman studying law, and her vision for advancing Indigenous education and scholarship at McMaster.
Two people stand with a horse in a riding arena. They are both dressed in black jackets, beige riding pants, and helmets, and are smiling and giving a double thumbs-up to the camera.

With McMaster Equestrian, teamwork takes the reins

From late-night practices to long show days, the team’s bond fuels confidence, resilience, and joy in the ring.
Three images fading into each other, showing a bobsled team, a single figure skater and a pair of figure skaters.

From McMaster to Milan: A flash of maroon at the Olympics

Athletes, broadcasters, officials and experts: Meet the McMaster community members representing Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.