Past Events Archive
Year of Democracy Featured Events
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Democracy of the Future: Student Showcase
April 15, 2026 | 5:00 - 7:00PM | Becky Blank Hall & Annenberg Hall | Weill Hall
Democracy & Civic Empowerment Poster Session & Reception followed by A Legacy of Leadership: Central Student Government Across Generations.
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The poster session will feature student-led projects specifically on democracy and civic empowerment visions. Past and present leadership from U-M’s CSG will convene to discuss the history and the future of student leadership on campus.
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Unpacking the News
April 15, 2026 | 4:00-5:00PM | Shapiro Library Gallery, 3rd floor, Rm 3160
Each session offers a space to pause, sort out what’s happening, and engage in thoughtful, civil discussion with peers. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and your perspective—no preparation required.
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Center for American Dialogue Preview Day Event
April 13, 2026 | 3:00-4:30PM | Michigan League - Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
Imagine coming together through difference, and creating progress together.
At a moment when public debate too often collapses into noise, the Center for American Dialogue is advancing a different proposition: that democracy depends not on consensus, but on the ability to engage across difference with rigor, evidence, and trust.More about this event
Rooted in Look to Michigan’s vision of bold civic engagement, Preview Day offers an early look at a pioneering model for discourse - one that bridges evidence-based research and public understanding, and reclaims disagreement as a civic strength.
with
Domenico Grasso
President, University of Michigan
and
Arthur Lupia
Vice President for Research and Innovation
Invite you to attend a conversation with:
Representative Debbie Dingell
U.S. House of Representatives, D-Michigan’s 6th District
Representative Lisa McClain
U.S. House of Representatives, R-Michigan’s 9th District
And a keynote message from:
David Brooks
Author, Political and Cultural Commentator -
The Miller-Converse Lecture with James Druckman
April 9, 2026 | 4:00-5:30PM | Institute for Social Research - 1430, 426 Thompson St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
More about this event
Check back for the title and abstract for this event.
James N. Druckman is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Rochester. He previously was the Payson S. Wild Professor and a Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University. He is also an Honorary Professor of Political Science at Aarhus University in Denmark. Druckman has published approximately 200 articles and book chapters in political science, communication, economics, science, and psychology journals. He has authored, co-authored, or co-edited seven books. His recent books include Partisan Hostility and American Democracy: Explaining Political Divides (University of Chicago Press, 2024), Equality Unfulfilled: How Title IX's Policy Design Undermines Change to College Sports (Cambridge University Press, 2023), and Experimental Thinking: A Primer on Social Science Experiments (Cambridge University Press, 2022).
The Miller-Converse Lecture is the University of Michigan’s preeminent lecture series on American Electoral Politics. The Series honors the legacy of CPS Founder Warren Miller and former CPS and ISR Director Philip Converse.
This event will be recorded and shared later. -
“Power, Purpose and the Color of Wealth: An Economic Vision that Centers People and the Environments in Which We Live”
April 9, 2026 | 10:30am - 12:00pm | Institute for Social Research - 6050
Join the Stone Center for Inequality Dynamics as we host Darrick Hamilton, University and Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy at The New School. Darrick will present, “Power, Purpose and the Color of Wealth: An Economic Vision that Centers People and the Environments in Which We Live.”
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Unpacking the News
April 8, 2026 | 4:00-5:00PM | Shapiro Library Gallery, 3rd floor, Rm 3160
Each session offers a space to pause, sort out what’s happening, and engage in thoughtful, civil discussion with peers. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and your perspective—no preparation required.
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Conversations with an Elected Official: Talk with 15 District Court Judge
April 8, 2026 | 12:00-1:00PM | Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning
Come and join us for another iteration of Conversations with an Elected Official - District Judge where we will be talking about what this elected office does, how the official got into local politics, and answer questions direct from constituents like you!
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Hosted in the Ginsberg Center Commons on April 8th from 12pm-1pm. We will be talking with Washtenaw County 15th District Judge Miriam A. Perry. Be on the lookout for additional events throughout the year featuring other local elected officials!
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Addressing Human Rights and Democracy: The Challenges and Opportunities for Business
April 7, 2026 | 4:30-6:00PM | Weiser Hall - Room 1010
In his book Conscience Incorporated: Pursuing Profits while Protecting Human Rights https://myumi.ch/JPnR4, Michael Posner examines the evolving role of large multinational companies in addressing human rights challenges tied to their business models, in global supply chains, in the tech sector and among investors.
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Rethinking Patriotism: Forging a New Civic Identity
April 2, 2026 | 5:00-6:30 PM | Rackham AmphitheatreWhat 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.
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.
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The program will feature a keynote address by Liu, followed by a panel discussion on public service, democracy, and national identity. Throughout the evening, a musical performance inspired by the national anthem will offer moments of reflection and underscore the evening's exploration of shared values and civic identity. The panel will include Jenna Bednar, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy and Eric Veal, Jr., President of the Central Student Government.
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Dinners for Democracy: Know What You Are Signing
April 1, 2026 | 5:00-6:00 PM | Weill Hall 3240
Dinners for Democracy are nonpartisan presentations and small group discussions on topics students care about, hosted by the student organization, Turn Up Turnout (TUT). This event is in collaboration with the League of Women Voters. Free dinner is provided!
More about this event
The event will discuss how petitions can be misleading and confusing and how to be certain you know exactly what the ballot proposal will do and how it will affect you.
Participants can expect to gain a deeper knowledge of the issue and an opportunity to discuss their thoughts, information about how their vote in local offices can affect the issue, and additional resources they can use to learn more.