By the Numbers
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Launched in 2021, the UVA Karsh Institute of Democracy works to invigorate the institutions, practices, and cultural underpinnings that are the foundations of democracy and to collaborate with others to bridge the gap between the reality and promise of democracy.
During the 2023–24 academic year, the Karsh Institute executed a robust slate of programs, research, and events—demonstrating the many steps we are taking to have impact as we continue confronting key challenges to democracy, both longstanding and new.
People
The Karsh Institute community included:
38
student interns from across Grounds, including the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, McIntire School of Commerce, College & Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Architecture.
484
people (397 of whom were UVA students) participated in our Engaged Dialogue programming, which facilitates one-on-one and group conversations, involving student dinners and classroom-based conversations.
488
graduate and undergraduate students were taught by John L. Nau III History and Principles of Democracy Lab faculty members last year, in such classes as The Courts and American Democracy, The Age of Revolution, Greek Civilization, Immigration Law and Policy in Historical Perspective, and Democracy and Literacy.
6
Practitioner Fellows were hosted by Karsh Institute from sectors including media, law, and technology.
16
class visits by Practitioner Fellows during the academic year. Two Practitioner Fellows taught or co-taught courses, including How to Do Democracy.
409
students enrolled in courses taught or engaged by Practitioner Fellows.
10
faculty members in politics, classics, history, and philosophy are part of the Nau Lab, with 3 additional faculty members who arrived at UVA in August 2024 for a total of 13 tenured and tenure-track faculty associated with the Lab.
10
fellows, including 2 postdoctoral fellows and 8 early career fellows who started in August 2024, 6 of whom focus on digital technology and democracy and 2 on the history and ideas of the early American republic.
Events
3000
people attended Democracy360, the three-day biennial convening that took place in October 2023.
44
public events and private convenings hosted through Democracy360.
52
events hosted or supported by Karsh Institute this academic year, from Touchstones of Democracy conversations in Charlottesville to events in London, England; Washington, D.C.; Wise, Virginia; and Austin, Texas.
Research
Faculty supported by the Karsh Institute accomplished the following during this academic year.
Examples of Media Outlets
- The Associated Press (AP)
- Axios
- Bloomberg Businessweek
- Bloomberg.com
- The Cavalier Daily
- CBS 19 News Charlottesville
- CBS 6 News Richmond
- CNN
- C-VILLE Weekly
- The Daily Progress
- Global Research Bytes
- HYFIN Radio Milwaukee
- West Virginia Public Broadcasting Inside Appalachia
- NBC 29 News Charlottesville
- National Public Radio (NPR)
- Public Books
- Sight Magazine
- Smithsonian Magazine
- The Guardian
- The Independent
- The New York Times
- The Virginian-Pilot
- The Tavis Smiley Show
- United Press International (UPI)
- Vinegar Hill Magazine
- The Washington Post
- WHRO-FM Public Media
- With Good Reason
- Word & Way
- WTKR Hampton Roads
- WYPR Baltimore
Partners
We work with a wide range of partners both on Grounds and outside of UVA.
26
external partners collaborated with us on a variety of programming, including the U.S. Department of State, More Perfect, John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress, The Atlantic, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Tom Tom Foundation, Center for Strategic and International Studies, VPM, Civic Learning for an Engaged Democracy, and the Presidential Precinct.
Examples of External Partners
- American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)
- Campus Compact
- Center for Applied NonViolent Actions and Strategies (CANVAS)
- Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Civic Learning for an Engaged Democracy (CLDE)
- Constructive Dialogue Institute
- C-VILLE Weekly
- Jefferson-Madison Regional Library
- Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
- John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress
- Leadership Now Project
- Lumina Foundation
- Monticello
- More Perfect
- New York University’s Institute for Public Knowledge
- Presidential Precinct
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History
- The Atlantic
- Tom Tom Foundation
- U.S. Department of State
- University of Virginia’s College at Wise
- Virginia Foundation for the Humanities
- Virginia Museum of History and Culture
- VPM
- Welcoming Greater Charlottesville
- Western Albemarle High School
60
UVA partners, ranging from schools and centers to programs and student organizations.
Examples of UVA Partners
- Agape
- Alumni Association
- Black Law Student Association
- Carter G. Woodson Institute
- Center for American English Language and Culture
- Center for Effective Lawmaking
- Center for Global Inquiry and Innovation
- Center for the Liberal Arts
- Center for Politics
- College and Graduate School of Arts and Science
- College Republicans
- Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA
- Environmental Institute
- Equity Center
- Facilities Management
- The Federalist Society
- The Fralin Museum of Art
- Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
- History Club
- Housing and Residence Life
- Humanitarian Collaborative at UVA
- Institute of the Humanities & Global Cultures
- integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV)
- International Family Medicine Clinic
- Jefferson Literary and Debating Society
- Karsh Center for Law and Democracy
- Madison House
- McIntire School of Commerce
- Miller Center of Public Affairs
- Morven Farm
- Native & Indigenous Relations Community
- Native American Student Union
- Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Office of Global Affairs
- Office of Student Affairs
- Office for Sustainability
- Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
- Program in Law, Communities, and the Environment (PLACE)
- Project on Democracy and Capitalism
- Public Service Pathways Program
- The Mellon Race, Place, and Equity Program
- School of Architecture
- School of Data Science
- School of Education and Human Development
- School of Law
- Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership
- Student Health and Wellness Teaching Kitchen
- The American Constitutional Society
- Think Again @ UVA
- University Democrats
- University of Virginia’s College at Wise
- UVA Arts
- UVA Athletics
- UVA Clubs
- UVA Engagement Office—Lifetime Learning
- UVA Library
- UVA Parents Program
- Washington Literary Society and Debating Union
- Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
- WTJU
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