At the Ash Center, we’re generating new ideas and insights for the future of civic engagement — everything from voter participation to democratic deliberation.
Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, American Politics Speaker Series, Nonviolent Action Lab, Reimagining Democracy Program
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.
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The Ash Center hosted a discussion with leading experts about the latest young voter polling data, ongoing grassroots organizing efforts, and the challenges young people face in the voting process.
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Recent Kennedy School Graduate Uche Pedro is leveraging her popular media brand to increase voter participation and advocate for social justice issues in Nigeria.
Q+A
The Ash Center sat down with Ashley Spillane MC/MPA 2018, president of social impact consulting firm Impactual, and Sofia Gross, Ash Center Technology and Democracy Fellow 2018-19, public policy manager at Snap, Inc.; authors of Civic Responsibility: The Power of Companies to Increase Voter Turnout, to discuss how organizations are supporting voter participation this fall.
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The Ash Center hosted a conversation with leading practitioners in the field on the importance and state of current efforts to engage AAPI voters, AAPIs’ role and connection to the Black Lives Matter movement, and the stakes of the upcoming election.
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Board Chair of When We All Vote Valerie Jarret discusses voter engagement at a virtual Harvard Votes Challenge event on National Voter Registration Day
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The Harvard Votes Challenge celebrateed National Voter Registration Day with Valerie Jarrett, businesswoman, senior advisor to President Barack Obama, a board member at When We All Vote, and advocate for equality & justice.
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The Ash Center hosted a discussion with three leading U.S. election practitioners – one litigator, one election official, and one national grassroots organizing leader – as we asked each of them a series of questions about their greatest fears around the voting process, their work to achieve a fully inclusive and well-administered election, and their ideas for the future of U.S. democracy.
Case Study
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The Ash Center hosted a timely discussion with leading practitioners who are effectively integrating digital strategies with authentic power-building while navigating a never-before-seen civic environment.
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The Ash Center and the Center for Public Leadership recognized Civic Health Month and hosted a discussion on how healthcare workers are deepening civic engagement through voter empowerment, including how high levels of civic engagement can drive more equitable health outcomes.
Media Release
Case Study
The Ash Center hosted a workshop with Eric Wilson, Ash Center Technology and Democracy Fellow and Chief Digital Officer for America Rising, on how to get your ideas noticed online and build a strategy for results.
The Ash Center hosted a conversation with Cristina Beltrán Ph.D., Associate Professor at New York University, and Antonio Arellano, Interim Executive Director of Jolt Action to explore the Latinx voter, the issues they support, and ways to engage this growing voting bloc.
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Ross Morales Rocketto and Manuel Espitia from Run for Something spoke at a workshop, hosted by Harvard’s Ash Center and Institute of Politics, on the nuts and bolts of running for down-ballot office.