Past Events Archive

Engage in discussion about the artwork and the role of art and artists as catalysts for civic empowerment and democracy.

The work fosters dialogue on identity, community, and civil engagement. Through bureaucratic forms, papers, postures, language, and aesthetics, audiences are invited to participate in respectful dialogues and playful interactions with the artist. As the 2025 Roman J. Witt Artist-in-Residence, Kirby spent 12 weeks on campus from January through March of 2025 meeting with students, faculty, and staff from the Stamps School and across U-M. Based on these conversations, Kirby devised a site-specific installation that seeks to amplify the voices of the U-M community, uphold the value of democratic civic engagement, and highlight the power of art in building solidarity and mutual respect.

At Ashesi, Patrick has reimagined higher education by integrating ethics, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking into the curriculum, while fostering global partnerships that amplify impact. His story is a powerful reminder that global engagement is about more than crossing borders—it’s about building connections that inspire meaningful change.

The conversation will be guided by Valeria Bertacco, Vice Provost for Engaged Learning and Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Together, they will explore themes of leadership, education, technology, and the future of global engagement.

In honor of Constitution Day on September 17, join U-M faculty experts for a discussion on some of the Constitution’s most important features:

• Executive orders
• Separation of powers and control over elections
• Due process and habeas corpus
• The rule of law—its meaning, importance, and challenges

Even if you think you know the Constitution, this event will give you new insights. Come with your curiosity, questions, and concerns.

When: Tuesday, September 17, 7:00-10:00 pm
Where: Annenberg Auditorium, Ford School
Speakers: U-M professors from Law, Political Science, and Communication & Media
Who: U-M students and the U-M community

Free pizza + free pocket Constitutions (limited supply)!

Deaf President Now! 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. More than a story of protest, Deaf President Now! is a powerful tribute to leadership, identity, and the enduring fight for representation. The Democracy on Screen film series celebrates the role of storytelling and creative expression in shaping, challenging, and expanding our understanding of democracy and civic empowerment.

Turn Up Turnout (TUT), the campus nonpartisan civic engagement organization, is inviting representatives from All Voting is Local, Campus Vote Project, student leaders, and other election law folks to pilot a new initiative called: Maize and Blue Civics. TUT is the student group in UMICH Votes, helping to successfully register over 10,000 voters from August to October for the 2024 election. Their work does not stop after elections, as they are a year-round org!

The topic of our first Maize and Blue Civics will be: The State of Voting Rights. Our goal as a nonpartisan organization that supports access to the ballot is to help inform and educate voters about the potential impact of legislation. The goal of the panel is to discuss this legislation and how students can ensure they are prepared to participate in future elections.

Please join us on Wednesday, April 16 at 6 pm in the Ford School Betty Ford Classroom (Weill Hall first-floor auditorium).

We look forward to having you!

What do we know about the connection between information and democracy, both domestically and globally? Democracy’s Information Dilemma confronts this question by investigating why democracy depends on accessible and reliable information, and how disinformation can undermine democracy.

This public event is part of Democracy’s Information Dilemma, a 3-day conference uniting researchers and practitioners to work towards a sustainable information environment for a thriving democracy.

Hosted by the Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement and the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

Learn about some of the problems facing participation in democracy today and work to solve them with data-driven technology. Sunday's awards ceremony will honor the top 3 teams with cash prizes.