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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.

Meet the Experts

Marshall Ganz
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Marshall Ganz

Rita E. Hauser Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing, and Civil Society

Archon Fung
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Archon Fung

Director, Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation;
Co-Director of the Program on Democracy and the Informed Public;
Winthrop Laflin McCormack Professor of Citizenship and Self-Government

Pippa Norris
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Pippa Norris

Paul F. McGuire Lecturer in Comparative Politics

Ariel Procaccia
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Ariel Procaccia

Alfred and Rebecca Lin Professor of Computer Science

Stephen Richer
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Stephen Richer

Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy, February 2025 - November 2025
Non-resident Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy, December 2025 - November 2026

Tova Wang
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Tova Wang

Director of Research Projects in Democratic Practice

The Latest News, Research, and Resources

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Running and Winning Down Ballot Races: Workshop with Run for Something
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Video

Running and Winning Down Ballot Races: Workshop with Run for Something

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.

Reaching People Where They Are: Integrated Digital and Field Organizing with Daniel Marks
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Video

Reaching People Where They Are: Integrated Digital and Field Organizing with Daniel Marks

The Ash Center hosted a virtual workshop on April 7, 2020, with Daniel Marks, an Ash Center Technology and Democracy Fellow who serves as a Digital Manager at Color Of Change. Learn how digital campaigners can best uplift and assist field organizers in down-ballot races.

A Full Census Count Amidst Pandemic
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Video

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.

Our Desperate Need to Save U.S. Democracy From Ourselves
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Article

Our Desperate Need to Save U.S. Democracy From Ourselves

Archon Fung argues that American democracy is eroding because everyone—campaigns, politicians, journalists, social media platforms, and citizens—pursues narrow self-interest instead of protecting it. He points to attack ads, gerrymandering, policy that favors the wealthy, “fake news,” and low voter turnout as evidence.