Help Desk
Campus Conflict and Conversation Help Desk
Are you facing new or difficult conflicts or conversations on campus? Get timely advice or help with troubleshooting from a team of experienced scholars and practitioners.
Initiative
Institute for Democracy & Higher Education
Educating for a democracy in question
Variously described as “backsliding,” “declining,” “at risk,” and “fragile,” US democracy is a democracy in question. The threats to democracy are acute and growing. Yet, this moment in history is an opportunity to advance student learning for, and institutional commitment to, a more aspirational, redesigned democracy that is inclusive, equitable, participatory, compassionate, and just.
The Institute for Democracy and Higher Education (IDHE) supports you and your institution in educating for a democracy that works for everyone.
About IDHE
IDHE is a nonpartisan applied research and resource center that studies and works to improve student learning for, and institutional commitment to, US democracy. IDHE’s work is aspirational; we’re committed to a democracy that works—and works for everyone. We view colleges and universities as essential to democracy’s health and future.
Focus Areas
Democracy Re/Designed
What are the attributes of a democracy that works for everyone?
Elections as Teachable Moments
How can campuses shift from viewing elections as “events” to viewing them as opportunities for sustainable change?
Politics 365
What’s “in the water” at highly politically engaged campuses, especially those that have closed equity gaps in participation?
Speech, Inclusion, and Academic Freedom
Is academic freedom a right or a responsibility? What is the educational approach to balancing speech and inclusion?
Talking Politics
How can educators be ready to talk about politically charged topics in and beyond the classroom?
Project Staff
Nancy Thomas
Senior Advisor to the President for Democracy Initiatives and Executive Director, IDHE
Bring IDHE to Your Campus
Whether virtually or in person, IDHE can visit your campus to lead a workshop on facilitating politically charged discussions, join a classroom or coalition discussion of ideas for change, or help assess your campus climate for political learning and participation. Contact us at [email protected] and let us know how we can help.
Support IDHE
Support great ideas! To grow AAC&U’s efforts to educate for more aspirational, inclusive, and robust democracy, please donate to the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education Fund.