September 25, 2024 – ERS hosted a book talk “The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers” featuring author, Josh Cowen, Michigan State University, Professor of Education Policy and founding director of the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative.

Josh’s deep-dive investigation into education privatization, highlighting voucher programs as faulty products of decades of work by wealthy patrons and influential conservatives, sparked engaging discussions among the audience. The event, held in Robertson Hall, attracted undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, post-docs, researchers, and community members. Labyrinth Books was present for the book sale and signing.