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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
Related Programs

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 Latest News, Research, and Resources

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A Full Census Count Amidst Pandemic
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A Full Census Count Amidst Pandemic

Counting every person in the census is critical to the proper functioning of a democracy. The Ash Center hosted a conversation with census experts for an update on the 2020 census.