Inspiring engagement in our democratic future
The Initiative for Democracy & Civic Empowerment offers Michigan expertise, events, explorations, and opportunities to foster a culture of learning and curiosity as we work together for a flourishing democracy for all.
Democracy News
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Article
How Public Participation Shapes Policy Outcomes in the Supreme Court
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Research
Challenging Political Sterotypes: Can Knowing the Truth Bring Us Closer Together
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Article
Digitizing Democracy: Using AI to Make a Century of Congressional Speeches Searchable and Analyzable
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.
Events
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Unpacking the News with Professor Pasek
March 18, 2026 | 4:00-5:00PM | Michigan Union, Parker Room
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Workshop of Democracy: Police Reform and Community Violence Interventions
March 19, 2026 | 10-12PM | 3663 Woodward Ave, Suite 150, Detroit MI
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Pro-Social Design with Pluralistic and Narrative AI Systems
March 19, 2026 | 6:00-7:30PM | Dana Building, 440 Church St
Student Opportunities
Engagement and empowerment are the hallmarks of democratic society. How do you want to engage? In the classroom? On campus? Across the globe? We bring together courses, scholarship opportunities, internships, and funding possibilities to equip students with the tools and experiences necessary for impactful participation in democratic societies.
Funding Opportunities
We offer funding to support student and faculty projects that inform and inspire.
Engage
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A Community Guide to AI & Election Protections
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can create images, voices, or texts that look and sound real — but aren't. This zine outlines ways in which AI can disrupt elections and recommends places to find the truth.
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Democracy Collection
The Democracy Collection is a curated portfolio of clips, courses, and Teach-Outs™ to provide a deeper understanding of democracy's role in our society.
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Dialogues in Democracy
Dialogues in Democracy is an interdisciplinary collection of University of Michigan Press books that explore the core tensions in American political culture.
Learning Opportunities
Learning. Exploration. Inquiry. The breadth of the University of Michigan’s expertise opens our classroom's to a myriad of paths for democratic engagement.
