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Can Higher Education Help Renovate American Democracy?

The Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation hosted a webinar with several panelists to discuss a host of new campus initiatives that offer promising pathways for higher education to reassert its vital role in strengthening democracy by engaging students’ civic learning and supporting their development as civic actors.

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Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation

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Civic Engagement

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Technology and Democracy: What to Read This Summer

Feature

Technology and Democracy: What to Read This Summer

Technology and democracy are at a crucial inflection point. The outcomes of the historic 2024 election year have revealed both the vulnerabilities and resilience of democratic institutions around the world. At the same time, rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are reshaping our lives, with social, economic, environmental, and geopolitical implications.

For those interested in learning more, the reading list below, curated by the GETTING-Plurality Research Network at the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, aims to reflect the urgency of the current moment. These books, articles, and videos explore the intersections of technology and democracy across disciplines, including philosophy, political theory, law, ethics, and policy. Together, they highlight the breadth of thought and impact related to technology’s role in our democratic lives, raising warnings and pointing to possibilities for the future.

A Summer Reading List for America’s 250th Anniversary
A collection of books curated by the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation.

Feature

A Summer Reading List for America’s 250th Anniversary

On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As this milestone approaches, the team at the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation has curated a collection of books, podcasts, and events that explore the meaning and impact of the declaration from 1776 to today. Join us in revisiting the document itself, reflecting on its legacy, and considering the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic ideals.

Experiential Civic Learning for American Democracy

Additional Resource

Experiential Civic Learning for American Democracy

A new report provides a clear, actionable framework for effective experiential civic learning—what it is, why it matters, and how to do it well.

More on this Issue

A Summer Reading List for America’s 250th Anniversary
A collection of books curated by the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation.

Feature

A Summer Reading List for America’s 250th Anniversary

On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As this milestone approaches, the team at the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation has curated a collection of books, podcasts, and events that explore the meaning and impact of the declaration from 1776 to today. Join us in revisiting the document itself, reflecting on its legacy, and considering the ongoing struggle to uphold democratic ideals.

Five Years Later, Erica Licht and Nikhil Raghuveera Bid Farewell to Untying Knots
Nikhil Raghuveera and Erica Light, Co-Hosts of

Podcast

Five Years Later, Erica Licht and Nikhil Raghuveera Bid Farewell to Untying Knots

Over the past five years, Untying Knots has served as a vital platform for conversations about racial justice, systemic oppression, and community-driven change. Co-hosted by Erica Licht and Nikhil Raghuveera, the podcast — born from a Harvard Kennedy School course in 2020 — explored how people and institutions are working to dismantle entrenched systems of racial inequity while building new frameworks rooted in justice and accountability. As the podcast concludes, Licht and Raghuveera reflect on its origins, evolution, and enduring impact, offering insights into the lessons learned and the powerful voices that shaped its journey.

The 2024 Presidential Election: The Broken Bond Between Youth and Democracy
Cover photo of the report

Policy Brief

The 2024 Presidential Election: The Broken Bond Between Youth and Democracy

The 2024 election saw Donald Trump make significant gains among young voters, increasing his support among 18- to 29-year-olds by 10 percentage points. This report aims to investigate the deeper issues at stake that are causing this historical shift.