Menard Family Center for Economic Inquiry

Small-group discussion seminars where students engage in a Socratic dialogue, exchanging and exploring ideas based on a set of selected readings (approximately 150 pages). Participation is by application only. Readings are distributed about one month before the event.

"Deficits, Debt, and American Democracy"

Date: September 25 & 26, 2026
Time: Friday 4–8:30 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Harper Center (meals off Campus)
Colloquium Organizer: Dr. Emily Skarbek – Brown University
Discussion Leader: Dr. Michael Thomas – Creighton University

Deficits, Debt, and American Democracy: Information and application

"Conservatism and the Rise of Postliberalism"

Date: November 13 & 14, 2026
Time: Friday 4–8:30 p.m. - Saturday 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Harper Center (meals off Campus)
Colloquium Organizer: Dr. Doug Rasmussen – St. John’s University
Discussion Leader: Dr. Michael Thomas – Creighton University

Conservatism and the Rise of Postliberalism: Information and application

Our Food for Thought seminar series is a series of public talks directed at students from across Creighton's campus.

August 27, 2026, 4 p.m. at Harper 2057/58 | Dr. James Bailey (Providence College) | States vs Healthcare. Cosponsored by the Institute for Population Health – Creighton University 

September 17, 2026, 4 p.m. Harper 2057/58 | Mrs. Susannah Petitt (University of Notre Dame) | How Families Shape Economic Opportunity

The MCEI - Faculty Brown Bag Seminar is a research seminar series for faculty from across campus. The goal of the seminar is to facilitate an active conversation about research among Creighton faculty, and to promote opportunities for collaboration and co-authorship, especially within the Heider College of Business.

In these events, Creighton students participating in any of the MCEI's research programs present their research advances and works to the University's community. 

Juan de Salas Research Day is an event organized by the MCEI in the Fall Semester. It is open to the public. We encourage faculty to attend and participate, giving their suggestions and comments to improve the quality of our students' work.  Harper Center - Room TBA - Date: December 4, 2026 - Time: 11 a.m.

University Research Day is an event organized by the University during the Spring Semester. Students participating in an MCEI Research program are encouraged to present a poster to show their research advances.

Our Two Flagship Spring Events...

Public Forum Fall 2026: "The Social Order of the Underworld: How Prison Gangs Govern the California Penal System"

Speaker:

Dr. David Skarbek (Brown University)

Date: September 24, 2026
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Harper 2057/58

Humanomics Symposium 2027: "TBA"

Date: April 2 & 3, 2027
Time: Friday 4–9 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Location: Harper Center
Director and Organizer: Dr. Michael Thomas - Creighton University
Opening Lecture Speaker – TBA
Closing Lecture Speaker – TBA