Absentee ballots are available beginning 40 days before every election. 5 p.m. Friday, July 31: deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail for the statewide primary election
What does patriotism mean in today's America? Join Eric Liu, founder of Citizen University, for an evening of reflection and dialogue on the evolving meaning of patriotism and civic responsibility.
Journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson, Civility Project founders, discuss how Americans can talk with another, and even disagree, but agree to keep the dialogue going.
In this interactive conversation, Center for Racial Justice Visiting Fellow Holly Bass will share her process for her upcoming UMMA exhibition, which explores the 250th anniversary of America, and asks, "What truths, if any, do we as Americans collectively hold?"
Michigan State Senators Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and John Damoose (R-Harbor Spring) join the Ford School's Jenna Bednar for a look at bipartisanship and what can be accomplished by "reaching across the aisle".
Shin Godzilla is a 2016 Japanese action film that reimagines the classic monster as an endlessly evolving, disaster-causing force. Unlike many Godzilla films that focus on the monster-versus-monster spectacle, this entry is a chilling political satire, with the central conflict revolving around the Japanese government's bureaucratic, slow, and inadequate response to the crisis. The narrative unfolds with a palpable sense of escalating dread, emphasizing how political indecision and red tape can compound a disaster, making the human element a reflection of real-world anxieties rather than just a dramatic subplot.
Ted Gayer, President of the Niskanen Center, will describe the ideas behind the emerging abundance movement and how they connect to Niskanen’s broader mission of strengthening American institutions.
Join us for the launch of Democracy on Screen — a film series presented as part of the Ford School’s Resilient Democracies initiative. This series celebrates the role of storytelling and creative expression in shaping, challenging, and expanding our understanding of democracy and civic empowerment. Through powerful films, we’ll explore how everyday people and grassroots movements drive change, amplify marginalized voices, and reimagine what democracy can be.
True False Hot Cold is a documentary series about climate, beliefs and better conversations. Filmed in Emery County, Utah, a region with high levels of climate skepticism, the series features short episodes with candid interviews and slice-of-life vignettes of local residents, including farmers, ranchers, and coal miners, to understand their perspectives and find common ground. The goal is not necessarily to achieve agreement, but to practice empathy, curiosity, and dignity in conversations across divides.
The Trump administration has led an unprecedented attack on the makeup and independence of the civil service. Against that backdrop, what is the role of a public policy school -- and its students -- in preparing for the future of good government? Is this a turning point for American governance?
An Apple Original Film, Deaf President Now! is co-directed and co-produced by Gallaudet alum Nyle DiMarco, ’13, and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim. The film chronicles the historic 1988 student-led protest at Gallaudet University and the movement that demanded — and won — the appointment of the university’s first Deaf president.
Politicians from across the aisle discuss cross-partisan collaboration and how it can play a vital role in promoting unity, understanding, and constructive dialogue, ultimately benefiting the public by facilitating more inclusive and effective governance.
Please join the Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, & Global Engagement, the Ford School of Public Policy, & members of Ann Arbor's new Comprehensive Plan planning committee.
This roundtable takes stock of what we learned from a year when a whopping 4 billion people – half the world’s population, from America to India to Mexico to South Africa – had the opportunity to vote.
Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation Lecture Series
Joan and Sanford Weill Hall
Annenberg Auditorium (1120)
The Ford School invites the U-M community -- students, faculty, and staff -- for an election debrief, analysis, and discussion with faculty experts Javed Ali, J. Alex Halderman, Rusty Hills, Vincent Hutchings, Barbara L. McQuade and Mara Ostfeld.
On the day after the elections, the Ford School, in conjunction with SAC and UGC, will host a lunch buffet for the Ford School community to get together, eat, and relax after a long election season.
The Ford School is proud to co-sponsor an event with Wallace House Presents, featuring New York Times columnists Bret Stephens and Lydia Polgreen, alongside ABC News’s María Elena Salinas, in conversation with Stephen Henderson of Detroit PBS.
As part of the Rackham Graduate School's Gupta Professional Ethics Series, the Ford School is co-sponsoring this event that will look at the use and abuse of online technologies and the dangers of misinformation.
Join the Spectrum Center for a lunch and learn with Naomi Goldberg (MPP '08), executive director of the Movement Advancement Project. Explore the political landscape and current state of LGBTQIA2S+ civil rights, understand the stakes for queer and trans people in the upcoming election, and learn about safety at the polls. Empower yourself with knowledge, connect with others, and enjoy lunch (on us!) as you look ahead to making your own informed decisions.
Michigan Theater
603 E Liberty St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
In a time of profound division, embracing diverse perspectives becomes a catalyst for meaningful change. How do we transcend boundaries to cultivate an environment committed to fostering honest, caring, and courageous conversations?
Joan and Sanford Weill Hall, Annenberg Auditorium (Room 1120)
Former Ohio Governor John Kasich (R) and Montana Governor Steve Bullock (D) will address the threats to American democracy, and the need for civic discourse across party lines and around the country.
Join Jonathan Van Ness for a live recording of his "Getting Curious" podcast, themed on Getting Out the Vote, which will feature U-M scholars and students.
