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Opportunities

The Karsh Institute works tirelessly to understand, defend, and invigorate the institutions, practices, and cultural underpinnings that are the foundations of democracy. Through all our work—robust interdisciplinary scholarship, research and teaching, and vibrant programs and partnerships designed to engage the public and influence policy agendas—we are shaping a thriving democratic future.

Check this page frequently to learn about new job openings, calls for proposals, student positions, and other opportunities at the Karsh Institute of Democracy.

2024 UVA Student Oratory Competition

Deadline: October 21, 2024

"Tell the story of a hero of our American democracy." The annual UVA Student Oratory Competition is now accepting your answers to this prompt. Selected finalists will write and deliver a five-minute speech to a bipartisan panel of former White House and Cabinet speechwriters in UVA's Rotunda Dome Room on November 18, 2024. This competition is open to all undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at UVA. Perks include $500 cash prizes for division winners, branded merchandise for finalists, and the opportunity to engage with experts in the field. 

The UVA Student Oratory Competition is hosted by Think Again and the Karsh Institute of Democracy, in partnership with Heterodox Academy, BridgeUVA, Civil Discourse Initaitive, The Jefferson Literary & Debating Society, the UVA Global Clubs Network, and Charlottesville's English Speaking Union. >>APPLY BY OCTOBER 21, 2024

Karsh Institute Project Manager

Anticipated salary: $75,000 to $80,000, commensurate with experience. 

The Project Manager role at the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy will perform a wide variety of functions to support Karsh Institute activities and programs. The Karsh Institute is a pan-university institute in the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. Working in coordination with the Karsh Institute team, the project manager will help faculty, post-doctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students and partners develop, manage, and execute initiatives associated with the work of the Karsh Institute. The manager will coordinate with Karsh staff on fiscal administration, communications, event planning, and other administrative functions. This role reports to the Karsh Institute’s Director of Research. >>APPLY TO BECOME THE KARSH INSTITUTE'S PROJECT MANAGER

Practitioner Fellow in Democracy

Anticipated salary: $38,000

The Karsh Institute of Democracy seeks applications for a Practitioner Fellow in Democracy. Fellows are practitioners and industry leaders who demonstrate a connection between their work and the Karsh Institute’s mission of understanding, defending, and invigorating the institutions, practices, and cultural underpinnings that are the foundations of democracy. The fellowship will support an individual project that aligns with the Karsh Institute’s priorities.  >>APPLY TO BECOME A PRACTITIONER FELLOW IN DEMOCRACY

Karsh Institute Research Fellow

Due date: November 15, 2024

Anticipated salary: $70,000

The research fellow is a two-year position with the Karsh Institute, in partnership with the UVA School of Law’s Karsh Center for Law and Democracy and the University of Wisconsin Madison Law School to conduct and guide research associated with the “50 Constitutions Project.”

The “50 Constitutions Project” is housed at the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School. It aims to facilitate engagement with state constitutions and their evolution over time. The broader goal of the project is to share research on state constitutions with scholars, practitioners, and the broader public. >>APPLY TO BECOME A RESEARCH FELLOW