Laurie Trautman and Edward Alden - When the World Closed Its Doors

Welcome WWU professors Edward Alden and Dr. Laurie Trautman to the Readings Gallery as they share When the World Closed Its Doors.

This book explores the re-bordering of the world during and after 2020, which created ongoing shocks to the international system of travel and migration. It details the consequences of the pandemic border restrictions through personal stories—including many from our region, arguing that citizens need better protections and governments more robust guardrails.

Edward Alden's career spans more than three decades in journalism, think tanks and academia. He was the bureau chief for the Financial Times newspaper in Toronto, Canada and Washington, DC before joining the Council on Foreign Relations in 2007 as a senior fellow. In addition to his own books and articles, he has worked with senior U.S. policymakers on in-depth investigations of issues such as U.S. immigration policy, U.S. trade policy, border security, and the future of work. Since 2019 he has also been a visiting professor at WWU, and he currently writes a column for Foreign Policy.

Dr. Laurie Trautman is the Director of the Border Policy Research Institute at WWU, the only one of its kind in the United States. As a leading expert in Canada - U.S. border policy issues, she works across academia, government, and the private sector to improve cross-border mobility and collaboration. In addition to policy briefs and academic publications, Laurie is an active participant in cross-border working groups and a regular contributor to the media. Dr. Trautman is a Global Fellow with the Woodrow Wilson Center's Canada Institute and holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Oregon.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Village Books and Paper Dreams, 1200 11th Street, Bellingham, United States