Democracy’s biggest challenges can rarely be fully understood or addressed through the lens of a single field of study. That premise is central to the Karsh Institute of Democracy’s new Faculty Fellows program.
As a pan-University institute at one of the nation’s leading public research universities, the Karsh Institute is uniquely situated to bring together faculty from across schools and disciplines—as well as from other campuses—to explore democracy’s greatest challenges and work collaboratively to translate that research into public impact.
The inaugural cohort of fellows comes from every corner of Grounds and beyond: the UVA School of Law, College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, McIntire School of Commerce, School of Education and Human Development, as well as UC Berkeley School of Law.
“By bringing together scholars with expertise in a range of disciplines, this fellowship creates a space for new ideas and approaches to understanding how democratic institutions can thrive in a changing world,” said Karsh Institute Director of Research Jessica Kimpell Johnson. “This group includes faculty who are not only experts in their fields but also are interested in translating their expertise to address public issues and to engage with partners beyond the University. Some we have worked with before or are working with now; others we want to work with going forward because their expertise matches so well with the current moment.”
“This fellowship creates a space for new ideas and approaches to understanding how democratic institutions can thrive in a changing world.”
Faculty Fellows serve two-year terms and work closely with Institute leadership and one another to develop new research priorities, identify emerging questions, and connect scholarship with public life. They also build on the Karsh Institute’s existing research and programs, contributing their expertise while helping to develop new interdisciplinary collaborations and initiatives.
As thought partners, the Faculty Fellows provide intellectual leadership on issues at the intersection of democracy and their fields of expertise. And they help build bridges between research and practice, including with the new cohort of Karsh Institute Distinguished Practitioner Fellows.
As a group, the Karsh Institute’s Faculty Fellows form a vibrant community of scholars committed to producing research that deepens our understanding of democracy and informs the conversations that will shape its future.
Meet the Karsh Institute’s inaugural cohort of faculty fellows:
Andrew Block
Professor of Law and Director of State and Local Government Policy Clinic, UVA Law
Laurent Dubois
John L. Nau III Bicentennial Professor in the History & Principles of Democracy, Department of History, UVA Arts & Sciences
Justene Hill Edwards
Professor and Associate Chair, Department of History, UVA Arts & Sciences
Justin H. Kirkland
Professor, Department of Politics, UVA Arts & Sciences
Peter Maillet
Professor of Practice in Commerce, UVA McIntire School of Commerce
Bertrall Ross
Professor of Law, UC Berkeley School of Law
Richard Schragger
William L. Matheson and Robert M. Morgenthau Distinguished Professor of Law, UVA Law
Lana Swartz
Associate Professor, Department of Media Studies, UVA Arts & Sciences
Rachel Wahl
Professor, UVA School of Education and Human Development