Open Discourse Society

MIT Open Discourse Society

MIT Open Discourse Society (MODS) is a student organization whose goal is to cultivate civil discourse and intellectual diversity within the MIT community.


MODS aims to recreate environments where such discussions and evaluation are the norm and devoid of bigoted obloquy. Such environments range from speaker events and panel discussions to roundtables and workshops to networking events that connect students with professionals who have taken a stand for free speech.


In an era where censorship and crackdowns dominate, MODS holds that it is more important than ever to uphold the integrity of open inquiry that is embedded within MIT's long-standing tradition of creativity and curiosity and the broader nature of the scientific process. MODS exists precisely for this purpose.



The MIT Open Discourse Society has sponsored several open discourse environments on the MIT campus which have been available to students and other members of the MIT community. These activities include:

  • Steve Kirsch presentation (Nov. 30, 2023)
  • Jay Bhattacharya presentation (April 4, 2024)
  • Dennis Prager presentation (Oct. 8, 2024)
  • Simon Amaya Price presentation, previously banned at Berklee (Nov. 24, 2024)
  • Workshop with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (April 7, 2025)

MODS has also co-sponsored the MFSA on-campus debates since 2024.

MODS is endorsed and supported by the MIT Free Speech Alliance.



For more information on the MIT Open Discourse Society, contact:

Spencer Sindhusen

Class of 2027, Course 15 and 17

President, MIT Open Discourse Society

spence27@mit.edu






The MIT Free Speech Alliance is independent of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.