The Democracy Collaborative is a research cooperative that draws on campus and community expertise to enrich understandings of democratic practices, democratic engagement, democratic values, and democratic culture.
Our Values
Empowerment: Democratic practices and cultures develop responsible individuals and strengthen communities. Our research seeks to advance the political efficacy of all people.
Inquiry: Ideas matter. We are compelled to explore issues pertinent to democracy in theory and in practice. We pursue solutions that will enable democracy to thrive.
Dissemination: Our current age is one of fractured media. Our work requires pursuit of effective modes of distribution for recommendations, through longstanding, traditional forums and newer, more innovative platforms.
Curiosity: Research will yield unexpected results. We seek a posture of openness to the many possibilities that will emerge in our inquiries.
Collaboration: Democracy requires people to work together toward common goals. We strive to employ collaborative processes in our research in ways that invite all individuals and collectives to share their ideas and experiences.
Integrity: Open and honest communication promotes democratic practices. We seek to be forthright with our methods and outcomes and welcome new ideas along with critical feedback.
Sustainability: Supporting our democracy is an ongoing process, one that was started long before us and must continue in the future. We commit to sustaining a lab that regularly revisits its mission and values and researches new ideas that will promote democratic engagement for years to come.
