Brandice Canes-Wrone

UF Levin College of Law Dean Merritt McAlister sits down with Stanford Professor Brandice Canes‑Wrone, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and director of the Center for Revitalizing American Institutions. Canes‑Wrone shares the story of her journey—from a Washington, D.C., upbringing and a brief stint as an aspiring concert pianist to a PhD in political economy and a research career focused on representation, accountability, elections, and campaign finance.

The conversation focuses on the public perception of higher education, institutional neutrality, and how universities can balance core academic missions with thoughtful public engagement. Listeners will walk away with a clearer picture of why higher education remains a vital American institution, the forces shaping its current reputation, and actionable ideas for restoring public trust while preserving intellectual individuality.