On September 23, 2021 the National Institute and Trustee and opera star Angel Blue presented an entertaining virtual discussion among a diverse panel of opera professionals who shared how they have adapted during the pandemic and what they expect to happen to opera in the future. Moderator Marc Scorca was joined by panelists Anthony Roth Costanzo, Denyce Graves, David Lomelí, and James Robinson.

On May 27, 2021 the National Institute hosted an entertaining and enlightening virtual panel discussion between two expert panelists discussing lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and what we should be prepared for in the future. With participation by Christopher P. Austin of Flagship Pioneering and 2019 NISS Gold Medal Honoree Paul Edward Farmer of Harvard Medical School and Partners In Health.

On April 29, 2021 the National Institute hosted a virtual panel discussion among four expert panelists about the complex issues surrounding food and how to feed humanity in the face of climate change. With participation by Eleanor Sterling of the American Museum of Natural History, Kyra Busch of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, Will Rosenzweig of UC Berkeley, and Don Taylor of AmplifiedAg, Inc. Moderated by NISS Trustee Angela Cason.

On Thursday, March 25, 2021, the National Institute hosted a virtual panel discussion among four expert panelists discussing how cultural institutions are addressing the challenge of increasing diversity in their staffing, collections, and public outreach. With participation by Tom Hill of the Metropolitan and Guggenheim Museums, Kate Markert of the Hillwood Estate, Mary Pat Matheson of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and Margaret Morton of the Ford Foundation.

On Thursday, September 24, 2020, the National Institute hosted an extremely timely and important bi-partisan virtual forum on the challenges and controversies surrounding the upcoming national election. Represent.us co-founder Joshua Graham Lynn was joined by three electoral politics experts for a fascinating and informative conversation about the importance of the 2020 election to American democracy.

On Wednesday, September 2, 2020, the National Institute hosted a virtual forum in which PBS NewsHour anchor and journalist Judy Woodruff interviewed Max Stier, the President of the Partnership for Public Service, about his two decades of bi-partisan efforts to improve the practice of government in America and the future prospects for making government more efficient and effective.

On Thursday, August 20, 2020, the National Institute hosted a virtual forum on how Broadway and live theatre in America is currently coping with the pandemic shutdown. National Institute Trustee Angela Cason was joined by three theatre insiders for a lively, entertaining, and inspiring conversation about the future of the Great White Way.

On Thursday, July 23, 2020, the National Institute hosted a virtual forum on policing in America. National Institute President Fred Larsen was joined by three criminal justice scholars for a wide ranging discussion of the sources of and potential solutions to the current crisis of policing in America.

On Thursday, June 25, 2020, the National Institute hosted a virtual forum on the current and future effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education. National Institute President Fred Larsen was joined by three dynamic leaders in higher education for a wide ranging discussion of the challenges and opportunities facing colleges and universities in America.