Red & Blue Exchange

Hearing the other side.

The Red and Blue Exchange (RBX) is committed to expanding the range of ideological and partisan perspectives to which Penn students are exposed; encouraging the informed, reasoned, and respectful exchange of diverse viewpoints; and identifying both common ground and areas of legitimate disagreement on the most critical issues confronting American society – all essential components of a healthy democratic society. RBX strives to breakdown the echo chambers that silo much of American society and move beyond the partisan rancor that characterizes much of public discourse, to focus on genuine debate and discussion.

To see a list of upcoming Red and Blue Exchange programs, visit our events page here.

RBX is made possible through the generous support of the Gamba family.

photo of John Bolton on stage with student at Penn

The Latest From RBX

A panel of four journalists speaking about the 2024 election.

Penn Today

Event looks at neck-and-neck presidential election

Two weeks out from Election Day, the race for the presidency is neck-and-neck, with Pennsylvania at the center of a somewhat confounding… Read More

Radio host Michael Smerconish spoke at the Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics for a conversation hosted by the SNF Paideia and Red and Blue Exchange Program on Oct. 2. Credit: Victoria Navarrete-Ortiz

In the News

CNN personality Michael Smerconish talks role of media in politics at SNF Paideia event

The Gamba Family Red and Blue Exchange, an initiative of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Paideia Program, hosted a discussion on the role of the media in contemporary politics on Monday. The conversation featured 1987 Penn Carey Law graduate and media personality Michael Smerconish. The event was titled "Polarization and the Media in American Politics" and was held in the auditorium of the Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics.Read More

In the News

Former Senator Richard Burr discusses artificial intelligence, health policy at Penn event

“I think that the academic setting really does generate conversation from both sides, and I don’t mean that from a political sense, but… Read More

In the News

‘Politics Unequal: The State of Women in Elected Office’

A panel of experts and activists from across the ideological spectrum sat down in a virtual event last week to unpack how far women in politics have come, and the obstacles that remain.Read More

An American flag waves in front of the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Nov. 2, 2020. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases that could decide the future of affirmative action in college admissions on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Image: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Event Recap

Experts Discuss Recent Changes to the Supreme Court and Impact on Constitutional Law

A moderated panel discussion on topics including, but not limited to, the history of the Supreme Court, the creation of a conservative supermajority, the shadow docket, public opinion, and possible modifications to the structure of the Court including term limits and Court expansion.Read More

John Bolton sitting next to Lexi Boccuzzi on a stage.

In the News

Penn Political Union in Conversation with John Bolton

The former U.S. national security adviser was on campus as part of a series of speaker events that promote the free expression of differing views and provide a forum for civil dialogue across the political divide.Read More

In the News

Good Talk

College students have become fearful of expressing their views. A new civil dialogue movement may restore healthy debate.Read More

The RBX Team

Leadership

Faculty

Brian Rosenwald

RBX Project Manager

Scholar in Residence, College of Liberal and Professional Studies

About the Gamba Family

The Gamba family has long been committed to improving education and supporting marginalized students to secure a quality education. With multigenerational Penn ties, their support for educational initiatives took a new direction with their underwriting of the Red and Blue Exchange, with the intent to foster more discussions among differing political views at the University of Pennsylvania and beyond. In making their generous gift to establish the new program, John F. Gamba, W’61, PAR’92, and Mary Anne S. Gamba, HUP’65, G’84, PAR’92, said:

We hope students will delve into some of the most challenging topics currently facing society, learn to navigate the many different perspectives that exist around those topics, and find effective solutions to influence change—both in their time at Penn, and later, in their careers.

Attend a RBX Event

The Red & Blue Exchange events promote the robust expression of divergent views and provides a form for the civil discourse critical to a healthy democratic society.