Photo of several buttons that encourage people to vote

Civic Engagement

At the Ash Center, we’re generating new ideas and insights for the future of civic engagement — everything from voter participation to democratic deliberation.

Buttons from the Political Buttons Collection at Harvard Kennedy School

Civic engagement — from voting to volunteering — is the engine that drives democracy forward. Robust citizen participation at every level of government provides the feedback that democratic systems require to be responsive and productive.

But what happens when people are systemically shut out of deliberation? Can we boost declining voting rates? How will we create a culture of civic engagement in an increasingly digital, AI-influenced world?

These are the questions the Ash Center community works to answer.

Our programs generate novel ideas about making civic engagement more robust, enabling everyone to participate. Ash scholars are researching how citizens can better provide input into government programs, processes, and policies. Together, we are developing a blueprint for what the future of civic engagement can look like.

We encourage you to explore the below events, research, and commentary to learn more about our work.

Upcoming Events


The Latest News, Research, and Resources


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Episode 8: How to undercut political violence
Butler Pennsylvania rally

Podcast

Episode 8: How to undercut political violence

Host Jay Ulfelder and Hardy Merriman discuss Merriman’s latest guide, titled Harnessing our Power to End Political Violence, which empowers people from all over the country to band together and support democracy by rejecting acts of political violence.

In Denver, a Model for Jail-Based Voting
photo of a hallway of a jail from behind bars

Feature

In Denver, a Model for Jail-Based Voting

Across the United States, hundreds of thousands of people in jail retain their right to vote while being held in pretrial detention, having not been convicted of a crime.

Celebrities Strengthening Our Culture of Democracy

Policy Brief

Celebrities Strengthening Our Culture of Democracy

This study provides an analysis and evaluation of how celebrity engagement impacts civic participation in the United States. When and why do celebrities decide to use their influence to encourage civic engagement? What difference do their actions make?

Jail-Based Voting in Denver: A Case Study
Man in green jumpsuit puts ballot in box in Denver jail

Case Study

Jail-Based Voting in Denver: A Case Study

In this latest report on providing access to registration and voting for the hundreds of thousands of Americans being held in jails without having been convicted, Tova Wang looks at how Denver – and the State of Colorado – have become a model for the nation.

What led to the rise — and then fall — of participatory democracy in Colombia?
A ballot box reads

Feature

What led to the rise — and then fall — of participatory democracy in Colombia?

Research by Democracy Postdoctoral Fellow Jamie Shenk highlights how referendums in Colombia served as a powerful tool to block the expansion of mining and oil enterprises before the practice was curbed by the country’s Supreme Court.

What role can sports teams play in 2024 voter turnout?

Q+A

What role can sports teams play in 2024 voter turnout?

Ash Center Senior Researcher Tova Wang and NFL Network analyst Scott Pioli answer questions about how sports teams can foster civic engagement.