Resilient Democracies

A creative, research-based approach to strengthening democracies–now and for a better future

Upcoming events

Freedom of the press and a healthy information ecosystem. The rule of law. Free and fair elections. Government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Separation of powers. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Freedom of expression. A healthy multi-party system. These are fundamental aspects of our democracy, and they require work, reform, and commitment to uphold them.

At a time of growing threats to our democratic institutions and growing fractures in our society, the Ford School honors the legacy of our namesake president with an initiative designed to bring people together across differences, uncover and elevate practices that make democracies strong, and rebuild key democratic norms.

Resilient Democracies is a Ford School initiative that includes a best-in-class, innovative expansion of democracy-based curriculum and research, civic engagement opportunities, and public events to help us meet this urgent moment, and help shape a more peaceful nation and just world.

The right to vote is at the very foundation of our American system and nothing must interfere with this very precious right.”
President Gerald R. Ford, for whom our school is named, extended the 1965 Voting Rights Act in 1975

Conversations across differences (CAD)

Committed to playing a lead role in rebuilding a public discourse that is nonpartisan, evidence-based, and inclusive

With our Conversations Across Differences (CAD) initiative, we aim to deepen the ability of our students—future leaders—and the broader public to solve problems through dialogue and action across divides and differences. We host public events, offer innovative co-curricular programming, and foster a generous and inclusive sense of community.

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Events

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2up photo of smiling people in business dress.

Oct 8 2026

6:30-7:30 pm

Aug 4 2026

7:00 am-8:00 pm

Red, white, and blue balloons and stars with a large white checkmark

Aug 3 2026

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Human flourishing

Using the arts and 'awe' to guide public policy

In a new pairing between the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy and U-M Museum of Art, students are learning how to develop human-cen...

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Students wander a room with framed artworks on floral wallpaper. The left wall reads in a decorative script, "Hey, we need to talk!"

News

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Faculty expertise

Jenna Bednar

Political scientist Jenna Bednar is an internationally recognized scholar of democracy whose research focuses on how collective action builds social goods and the role that institutions play in making that collaboration possible. Bednar leads the campus’s voting infrastructure and is co-chair of the Year of Democracy and Civic Engagement, a campus-wide collaborative effort to elevate democracy-related research, curriculum, and engagement.

U.S. at 250

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Initiative for Democracy & Civic Empowerment, the Clements Library, and the Arts Initiative are leading a university-wide program marking this historic milestone.

Learn more about U.S at 250

Research insights

Think local: CLOSUP checks in with local government officials

Democracy in the United States and across the globe has been in decline for years, as documented with rigorous tracking methodologies. Freedom House h...

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Photo of a stone building with a large "City Hall" sign

Hail to the Voters!

Led by Jenna Bednar, UMICH Votes is a non-partisan campus coalition whose mission is to improve the accessibility of voting, foster the confidence necessary to navigate the voting process successfully, and help students understand why their votes matter, for students of all three University of Michigan campuses.

Visit UMICH votes

Jenna Bednar suggests that the framing of human well-being needs to be expanded beyond purely financial targets to include an emphasis on community, human dignity, sustainability, and beauty.

Read Governance for Human Social Flourishing

Rusty Hills teaches "Campaigns and Elections" to a class of graduate and undergraduate students

Hills uses lessons learned to guide the next generation of campaigners.

A thrill for Hills: Reflecting on a career in campaigning & governing

Poverty Solutions research found an 8% undercount in some neighborhoods, costing the city millions in federal aid.

Read the study

Policy engagement

Chang (MPP/MSW '14) builds coalitions, better policy

Coalition-building leads to good policy-making By Daniel Rivkin In 2014, Stephanie Chang (MPP/MSW '14) was approached by her community-organizi...

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Ford School students join peers from the College of Engineering in a hybrid course that looks at technical aspects of cybersecurity and policy actions to mitigate the challenges. Election security is a major focus.

Read about the course

Headshots of Jenna Bednar, Charlotte Cavaillé, Jonathan Hanson, Mara Ostfeld, Ambassador Susan D. Page, and Betsey Stevenson

In the days following the 2024 elections, we sought insights from Ford School faculty members: How did we arrive at this point? And where do we go from here?

Kaitlin Raimi’s research shows the legitimacy of scientists are judged based on political persuasion and highlights the risk of politicizing scientific advice.

Resilient Democracies

Events

Michigan Secretary of State debate

Michigan Primary election

Deadline to request a primary absentee ballot in person at your local clerk’s office

Using the arts and 'awe' to guide public policy

News

Proposed additional ID requirements for voting could disenfranchise more than 1 in 4 Detroit adults

Midterm elections: Ford School experts available to discuss

Small Michigan communities feel early voting strain

Jenna Bednar

Speakers on democracy

U.S. at 250

Think local: CLOSUP checks in with local government officials

Hail to the Voters!

Governance to promote flourishing

Rusty Hills: Reflecting on a career in campaigning & governing

2020 Census undercounted Detroit population

Chang (MPP/MSW '14) builds coalitions, better policy

Ali's course examines cybersecurity and elections

Reactions to 2024 elections

Federally-funded science boards seen through political lens

Rewriting boundaries to reflect diversity

Lantz analyzes direct democracy gains and abortion access

Sharon Dolente (MPP/JD ‘04) expands ballot access in Michigan

Hanson provides historical perspective on DC insurrection

Research centers and campus programs

#fordschoolvotes: voting and election information

Year of Democracy

Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy

Weiser Diplomacy Center

Michigan Public Policy Survey reports (CLOSUP)

Big 10 Voting Challenge (Ginsburg Center)

Courses, faculty, news, and more