Working in America

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program’s Working in America is an ongoing discussion series that highlights an array of critical employment and job quality issues affecting low- and moderate-income American workers. Launched in 2012, this series features a diverse set of voices and perspectives, including those of high-profile worker advocates, philanthropists, labor leaders, academics, business leaders, and policymakers. Through these conversations, we aim to advance innovative ideas, in policy and practice, that can improve economic opportunity and the future of work in America. These discussions have helped to build momentum in the national discourse around various critical employment issues facing low- and moderate-income workers.

We are grateful to the Ford Foundation, the Prudential Foundation, and the Walmart Foundation for their support of this series.

Upcoming Events Near You

Events Across the Institute

Socrates 2025 New Zealand Seminar

Join us for this exclusive Critical Conversation, moderated by Vivian Schiller, internationally renowned former media executive, current Aspen Institute Vice President and Executive Director of Aspen Digital. ‘Will We Ever Trust the News Again’ will examine the challenges facing the industry – and crucially, the promising paths towards a solution.

December 8th – 10th, 2025

2025 Aspen Cyber Summit

Join us in celebrating 10 years of dialogue at the 2025 Aspen Cyber Summit in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, November 18.

November 18th, 2025 9am-5pm

Socrates Montenegro Seminar

Organized in partnership with Aspen Institute Germany and Aspen Institute Romania, the first-ever Socrates seminar in Montenegro will bring together leaders to explore the challenges of democratic backsliding, the importance of rule of law, and the essence of values-based leadership.

November 17th – 19th, 2025

The Aspen Executive Seminar on Leadership, Values, and the Good Society – October 2025

The Aspen Institute’s signature seminar on Leadership, Values, and the Good Society.

October 4th – 10th, 2025

Rising Civic AI Leaders

A program providing recent tech-to-government civic AI leaders with the knowledge, tools, and support to navigate government processes.

September 18th, 2025 12:00am – November 20th, 2025 12:00am

The Aspen Executive Seminar on Leadership, Values, and the Good Society – September 2025

The Aspen Institute’s signature seminar on Leadership, Values, and the Good Society.

September 13th – 19th, 2025

Writing a Public Comment

Learn a framework for writing effective public comments in this 1-hour webinar.

September 10th, 2025 11am-12pm

Writing an Op-Ed

Learn how to draft an op-ed to advance a broader goal of policy change in this 1-hour webinar.

August 20th, 2025 9-10am

Psychedelics and the Brain: Unlocking New Possibilities for Healing

Featuring Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, Ralph Metzner Distinguished Professor in Neurology, Psychiatry, and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco.

August 19th, 2025 6-7pm