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

Events

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communitea, a student led space for open dialogue, reflection, and healing on key policy topics of interest

Nov 14 2024

5:30-6:30 pm

Nov 8 2024

11:30 am-1:00 pm

Nov 6 2024

11:30 am-12:50 pm

News

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Adam Bressler (BA ’23), Kate Anderson (BA ’20), and Governor Gretchen Whitmer

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

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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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...

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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!"

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.

Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement

Ford School Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes, LSA Dean Rosario Ceballo, and Ford School Professor Jenna Bednar are co-leading the Year of Democracy, Civic Empoewerment, and Global Engagement—a university-wide effort that encourages constructive dialogue, provides enriching events, and improve access to voting.

Learn more about the Year of Democracy

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...

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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...

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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.

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With a major GOTV effort from students and the university, voter turnout among U-M college students jumped to 78% in the 2020 election.

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

CommuniTea with Students of Color in Public Policy

Post Election Analysis with U-M Faculty Experts

Post-election community gathering

News

Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment & Global Engagement newsletter

Behind the curtain: Fordies on the campaign trail

Reactions: 2024 elections

Using the arts and 'awe' to guide public policy

Jenna Bednar

Speakers on democracy

Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement

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

U-M students break voting records in 2020

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