Additional Resource
Democracy demands new ideas.
Commentary
Before the Civil Rights Act, My Great-Uncle from Roxbury Took on Pullman in 1954 — and Won
Podcast
Terms of Engagement – Can Ideological Diversity Improve Campus Culture?
Harvard’s hub for research and teaching on democracy
The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation develops ideas and fosters practices for equal and inclusive, multiracial, and multiethnic democracy and self-government.
Our Work
From expanding voting access to developing new strategies for antiracist organizational change, we tackle the most pressing issues facing democracy and democratic institutions around the world today.
Latest News
Commentary
Before the Civil Rights Act, My Great-Uncle from Roxbury Took on Pullman in 1954 — and Won
As we commemorate 100 years of Black History Month, it is worth remembering that progress was not driven by headlines alone. Beyond the monuments and courtrooms, everyday people took risks to demand dignity and fairness. Among them was my great uncle, whose pursuit of a promotion became a catalyst for change.
Commentary
The Present — and Future — of Alternatives to Police
Allen Lab Affiliate Benjamin A. Barsky examines alternative emergency response programs — arguing for a democratic model of public safety governance in which responses to nonviolent incidents are shared across government and civil society rather than dominated by police.
Commentary
India & the Olympics of AI
Allen Lab Fellow Jeremy McKey reflects on India’s AI Impact Summit, exploring the theme of diffusion and the implications for sovereignty and democracy.
Upcoming Events
Black Women Civic Leaders in Massachusetts and Renovating Democracy
In-Person Event
Ash Center Seminar Room 225, Suite 200, 124 Mount Auburn Street
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm EDT
In-Person Book Talk – “A Sixth of Humanity: Independent India’s Development Odyssey”
In-Person Event
Allison Dining Room, Taubman Building, 5th Floor, HKS
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm EDT
APSS: How Polarization Ends
In-Person Event
K354 in CGIS Knafel, 1737 Cambridge Street Cambridge, MA 02138
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm EDT
