What is IQ2US?
Founded in 2006, Intelligence Squared U.S. addresses a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics.
Our Mission
A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, Intelligence Squared U.S. addresses a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics.
Our mission is to restore critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to American public discourse.
What We Do
Provide a forum for balanced and intelligent debate that is widely distributed as a radio program, podcast, online broadcast, television, and digital video series.
Promote intellectual and viewpoint diversity by fostering respect for contrary opinions.
Curate thought-provoking conversations around the most important issues of the day.
Present the world’s thought-leaders to illuminate complex topics from multiple perspectives.
Foster critical thinking in the next generation of leaders by making our extensive research archives and debate content available for classroom use.
Our Impact
We believe that to achieve our mission we must always measure our results.
We systematically track our public radio coverage, our podcast reach, the headlines we garner, and our engagement with students and faculty.
Equally important, we track the percentage of our audience who change their minds after the debate. But our most important metric cannot be quantified: our passionate commitment to bringing a higher level of intelligence to the public square. Intelligence Squared.
The Approach
The series is based on the traditional Oxford-style debate format, with one side proposing and the other side opposing a sharply-framed motion.
Vote First
6 Minute Opening Arguments
Audience Q&A
2 Minute Closing Arguments
Vote Again
Winner
Where To Find Us
Live Debates
Intelligence Squared U.S. is a nationally broadcast debate series, travelling across the country to bring debates to a city near you. For Fall 2020 we plan to meet our audience where they are: Listening to the radio in their car or kitchen, playing a podcast in the backyard, or perusing the internet between conference calls. Please check the debate page for opportunities to engage with Intelligence Squared U.S. during our online premieres.
Radio Program and Podcast
IQ2US is broadcast on more than 230 public radio stations nationwide, and our award-winning podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and everywhere else you get your podcasts.
Debate On-Demand
Watch debates when you want, where you want, with the Intelligence Squared U.S. app on AppleTV and Roku Devices. Download the IQ2US App in the iTunes App Store or the Roku Channel Guide.
Our Awards
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2021 Telly Awards – Online: Political/Commentary – Silver Award (for The Electoral College Has Outlived Its Usefulness)
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2021 Telly Awards – Online: Political/Commentary – Silver Award (for Anti-Zionism is the New Anti-Semitism)
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2021 Telly Awards – Online: Political/Commentary – Silver Award (for Coronavirus Will Reshape the World Order in China’s Favor)
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2021 Telly Awards – Online: Political/Commentary – Bronze Award (for Two Cheers for Two Parties)
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2021 Telly Awards – Online: Live Events – Bronze Award (for Coronavirus Will Reshape the World Order in China’s Favor
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2021 Clarion Awards – Television Show – Informal – National (for It’s Time to Redistribute the Wealth
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2021 Clarion Awards – Best Special Event That Happened As Planned (for Two Cheers for Two Parties)
- 2020 AdWeek Award: Best Podcast Event of the Year
- 2020 Telly Awards - General Public Interest / Awareness Silver Award
- 2020 Telly Awards - General Live Events Silver Award
- 2020 W3 Awards - General Video- News & Politics - Gold Award
- 2020 W3 Awards - General Video - Non-Profit - Gold Award
- 2020 W3 Awards - General Video - Public Service/Activism - Gold Award
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2019 Telly Awards - Public Commentary
Silver Award -
2019 Telly Awards - Public Interest/Awareness
Bronze Award -
2019 New York Festivals International Radio Bronze Award:
Best Public Affairs Program -
2019 New York Festivals International Radio Bronze Award:
Best Technology Podcast -
2017 New York Festivals International Radio Gold Award:
Best Public Affairs Program -
2016 New York Festivals International Radio Silver Award:
Best Regularly Scheduled Talk Program -
2015 New York Festivals International Radio Silver Award:
Best Public Affairs Program -
2015 New York Festivals International Radio Bronze Award:
Best Regularly Scheduled Talk Program -
2014 Association for Women in Communications Clarion Award:
Radio Regular Feature Program -
2014 New York Festivals International Radio Bronze Award:
Best Public Affairs Program -
2013 New York Festivals International Radio Silver Award:
Best Public Affairs Program -
2013 Telly Award in Film & Video:
Silver Award for Live Events -
2013 Telly Award in Film & Video:
Bronze Award for Political/Commentary
The debates have attracted some of the world's top thinkers, including:
- Steve Forbes
- Dr. Neal Barnard
- Paul Krugman
- Karl Rove
- Malcolm Gladwell
- Arianna Huffington
Media & Press
In the Headlines
Press Releases
November 17, 2021