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Melody Barnes on stage with Ken Burns and Jeffrey Rosen
News | November 6, 2025
November 6, 2025

'A More Perfect Union,' a New PBS Special, To Premiere on Nov. 24

Recorded at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, "A More Perfect Union" features Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein, co-directors of "The American Revolution," and Yuval Levin, director of social, cultural, and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute, in conversation with co-moderators Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the NCC, and Melody Barnes, executive director of UVA’s Karsh Institute of Democracy.

www.pbs.org

Photo of UVA's Rotunda
News | October 26, 2025
October 26, 2025

Your Personal Anecdote Is Unhelpful

“A functioning republic requires an elite that takes seriously its obligation to understand the experiences of people not sitting on stage and to use data rather than personal anecdotes to analyze the nation’s challenges,” wrote Oren Cass about his participation in the Karsh Institute’s Democracy360.

www.commonplace.org

Photo illustration of the two gubernatorial candidates in Virginia's 2025 race
News | October 24, 2025
October 24, 2025

Who Should Be the Governor of Virginia?

Times Opinion convened a panel to weigh in on the Commonwealth's race for governor, including Karsh Institute Practitioner Fellow Sally Hudson.

www.nytimes.com

Day 3 Highlight Photo

October 20, 2025

Democracy360 Concludes With a Call to Listen, Connect, and Imagine Together

From law and institutions to empathy and understanding, the final day of Democracy360 showcased how shared stories can shape the next 250 years of American democracy.

Selects

October 17, 2025

Day 2 at Democracy360: Where Healthy Debate Took Center Stage

Respectful, open dialogue is critical in a healthy democracy. And on Day 2 of Democracy360, that concept ran throughout.

Melody Barnes and Paul Mahoney kicking off Democracy360

October 15, 2025

Democracy360 Opens with a Call to Imagine and Build Together

Day one of Democracy360 highlighted the power of collaboration, from participatory music and community dialogue to higher education partnerships advancing democracy nationwide.

Photo illustration showing the Liberty Bell, the Capitol, and the Thomas Jefferson statue
News | September 26, 2025
September 26, 2025

Democracy360: Imagining the Next 250 Years of American Democracy

As Americans raise urgent questions about the health and direction of democracy, the Karsh Institute’s signature event brings together voices from a variety of perspectives to confront these questions, wrestle with competing ideas, and envision a democracy strong enough to thrive for generations to come.