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Karsh Institute of Democracy

About Us

About Us

We are dedicated to a future in which democracy’s aspirations and reality are aligned.

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Mission and Story
Democracy @ UVA
By the Numbers
Resources

By the Numbers

The Karsh Institute connects people and ideas across disciplines to strengthen democracy through research, teaching, and public engagement.

Our People

Our People

Get to know our leadership and staff, advisory board, and affiliated faculty and fellows.

Meet the team

Leadership and Staff
Advisory Board
Affiliated Faculty

Melody Barnes

Founding executive director Melody Barnes leads the Institute on an action-oriented path to realizing the promise of democracy in both principle and practice.

Our Work

Our Work

Learn more about how we are confronting the key challenges to democracy.

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Fellowships
Featured Initiatives
Research
Democracy Labs

Featured Initiatives

Explore key Karsh Institute projects that study and strengthen democracy, from local journalism to global ideals and civic dialogue.

Events

Events

Explore events hosted and supported by the Karsh Institute.

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All Events
Democracy360
Event Series

Democracy360

The Karsh Institute's biennial Democracy360 convenes leaders and citizens to explore bold ideas and shape the future of democracy.

Touchstones of Democracy

This event series takes a deep dive on key moments, places, thinkers, and texts that inform the history and principles of democracy.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi

Speaker Emerita of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks on the important role Congress plays in meeting Americans’ needs.

News

News

Read the latest news and stories from the Karsh Institute.

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Recent

Lawmakers in Richmond May Change When We Elect the Governor July 24, 2026
Virginia Leaders Considering Common-Sense Change to State Election Schedules July 19, 2026
Virginia Lawmakers Weigh Ending State’s Off-Year Elections July 19, 2026

Give

Give

Support the Karsh Institute’s work realizing the promise of democracy.

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Our Building

The Karsh Institute Building

Opening in 2027, the Karsh Institute’s new building will be a hub for research, collaboration, and public engagement around democracy.

Recommended

By the Numbers 2024-2025
Democracy Labs
Virginia Local News Ecosystem Study
Our People
Mission and Story

Research Fellows

John L. Nau III History & Principles of Democracy Lab Fellows

D. Tinashé Hofisi

Research Fellow

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Digital Technology for Democracy Lab Fellows

Nicole West Bassoff

2025-2027 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia

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Aashka Dave

2025-2027 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia

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Ehsan Nouri

2025-2027 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia

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Jun Yuan

2025-2027 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia

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Weile (Wendy) Zhou

2025-2027 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab, University of Virginia

Read Bio

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Karsh Institute of Democracy

600 Brandon Avenue
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903

Email: karshinstitute@virginia.edu

Email: karshinstitute@virginia.edu

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