Policy Brief
AI for Democracy Movements: Toward a New Agenda
A new report summarizes key insights from the Nonviolent Action Lab’s December 2025 convening on how artificial intelligence can empower pro-democracy movements.
Research & Resources
Through our books, case studies, journal articles, papers, and surveys, the Ash Center is home to some of the world’s most advanced research and publications on issues related to democratic governance and self-governance.
To explore all research authored by Ash Center faculty, please visit the Harvard Kennedy School website. You can view the Ash Center’s open access policy here.
Newest
Podcast
Terms of Engagement—Is Fusion Voting Fair?
Archon Fung and Stephen Richer discuss whether fusion voting expands representation and strengthens smaller parties—or whether it muddies party lines and confuses voters.
Podcast
Terms of Engagement—How Will a Lapse in Federal Food Assistance Impact Millions of Americans?
Archon Fung and Stephen Richer are joined by Jennifer Lemmerman, Chief Policy Officer at Project Bread, to discuss the impact the lapse in SNAP funding is having on individuals and families.
Podcast
Terms of Engagement—From Congress to Kitchen Tables: Understanding the Impact of the Government Shutdown
Archon Fung and Stephen Richer are joined on Terms of Engagement by Air Traffic Controller Jack Criss to discuss the real-world impact of the ongoing shutdown.
Article
The left knows how to have huge protests. The right knows how to win elections.
In this op-ed, Liz McKenna examines the second ‘No Kings’ protest on October 18 and offers strategies for translating successful protest movements into influential policy change. She emphasizes the importance of sustained organizational efforts alongside protest activity to engage actors across partisan lines, building a broad coalition and a durable base for the movement.
Podcast
Terms of Engagement—Just How Powerful Are Protests?
Archon Fung and Stephen Richer are joined by University of Pittsburgh’s Lara Putnam to discuss the recent No Kings protest movement.
Article
The Resistance Reaches into Trump Country
As organizers for No Kings 2 seek historic turnout on October 18, the broader pro-democracy movement has already broken new ground.
Podcast
Terms of Engagement—Is Trump’s Higher Education Compact a Bad Deal but a Good Opportunity?
This week, Danielle Allen joins Archon Fung and Stephen Richer on Terms of Engagement.
Podcast
Terms of Engagement—The Art of the Higher Education Deal?
Archon Fung and Stephen Richer are joined on Terms of Engagement by Joseph Fishkin, Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law, to discuss the latest compact proposed to select universities and the implications for academic freedom and federal power.
Additional Resource
A Framework for Digital Civic Infrastructure
Creating a healthy digital civic infrastructure ecosystem means not just deploying technology for the sake of efficiency, but thoughtfully designing tools built to enhance democratic engagement from connection to action.