University of Kansas Hosts Inaugural Democracy Day: Research Sessions on Democratic Governance and Civic Engagement

The University of Kansas will host its first annual Democracy Day “Teach-In” on September 18, 2026, at the Lawrence campus. Organized by the Center for Democratic Governance, the half-day event brings together faculty researchers from communication studies, journalism, political science, psychology, public administration, and education to examine the state of democratic institutions in the USA and around the world. Each session pairs short research presentations with open question-and-answer periods, giving students, community members, journalists, and policymakers direct access to the scholars studying some of the most pressing questions in democratic governance today.

Whether you are a student considering a career in public service, a journalist covering civic affairs, or a Kansas resident seeking a clearer picture of how self-governance works, Democracy Day offers a structured, research-based look at the challenges and opportunities facing democracy. Review the complete session schedule and registration details on the Center for Democratic Governance event webpage before the event fills up.

Why Democracy Day Arrives at a Pivotal Moment

The timing of the inaugural event is deliberate. Democracy Day falls shortly after International Democracy Day on September 15 and U.S. Constitution Day on September 17, aligning the campus conversation with broader national and global observances of democratic ideals. It also arrives as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a milestone that invites honest evaluation rather than simple celebration.

Faculty presenter Ashley Muddiman, associate professor of communication studies, frames the moment as an opportunity for assessment: communities often take democracy and self-governance for granted, and this anniversary period raises practical questions about what is working, what needs improvement, and what threats face democracy in the USA and abroad. Rather than treating democratic institutions as settled achievements, the event treats them as ongoing projects that require informed participation from citizens, officials, and researchers alike.

That framing matters for anyone who cares about civic engagement. Research presented at events like this one does not stay in academic journals; it shapes how election officials build trust, how journalists earn credibility, and how educators prepare the next generation of voters. Attending in person means hearing that research explained directly and asking the questions that matter to your community.

A Teach-In Format Built for Real Dialogue

Democracy Day follows a teach-in structure: a series of short, focused talks organized into four themed sessions, each ending with a question-and-answer exchange between speakers and the audience. This design reflects a growing recognition that academic research on democratic governance has the greatest impact when it reaches beyond campus walls.

The format benefits several audiences at once. Students can connect classroom concepts to active research. Journalists can identify expert sources for future coverage of elections, media credibility, and public administration. Community members can move past headlines and examine the evidence behind debates about populism, corruption, and institutional accountability. The question-and-answer periods ensure the event functions as a conversation rather than a lecture series.

Session Highlights: Four Themes Shaping Democratic Governance

The program covers a wide methodological and topical range, but four clear themes emerge across the sessions.

Communications, Storytelling, and Journalism

The opening session, running from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., examines how communication underpins democratic life. Ashley Muddiman opens with “There’s No Democracy Without Communication,” making the case that democratic governance depends on citizens exchanging information and arguments. Alyssa Appelman, associate professor of journalism, follows with research on how journalistic accountability and transparency practices affect media credibility, a topic with direct consequences for how audiences decide what to believe. Aimee Wilson, associate professor of women, gender and sexuality studies, closes the session by exploring how personal narratives shape reproductive activism in the United States.

For readers who follow debates about misinformation and trust in news, this session offers evidence-based answers rather than speculation. Understanding how transparency practices influence perceived credibility can help anyone become a more discerning consumer of political information.

Norms and Civic Education

The second session, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., turns to the informal rules and educational foundations that sustain civic life. Christopher Koliba, the Edwin O. Stene Distinguished Professor of Public Administration, Policy and Governance, presents on democracy’s social contract and the standards that should inform accountable reforms. Sara Taliaferro, an instructor at the KU Public Management Center, discusses reimagining the public square for a more inclusive democracy, asking who currently participates in civic spaces and who remains excluded. Anna Yonas, assistant professor of curriculum and teaching, examines how all fifty states approach teaching religion in K-12 public education, a question that sits at the intersection of civics, law, and classroom practice.

Civic engagement rarely happens by accident. It depends on norms that encourage participation and educational systems that prepare people to exercise their responsibilities. This session addresses both.

Populism and Corruption

The midday session, running from noon to 1:15 p.m., confronts two forces that strain democratic institutions worldwide. Michael Wuthrich, associate professor of political science, presents research on party renewal, populism, and democracy, drawing on comparative insights into how populist movements reshape party systems. Glenn Adams, professor of psychology, follows with “Truth or Consequences,” examining historical fact detection and its relationship to social and civic engagement.

This session speaks directly to readers trying to make sense of populist politics in the USA and abroad. Rather than treating populism as a slogan, the presenters analyze the conditions that produce it and the institutional responses that can address it.

Accountability and Reform

The final session, from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m., focuses on mechanisms for holding institutions and leaders accountable. Zach Mohr, professor of public affairs and administration, presents on re-establishing trust in elections, a topic of immediate practical importance for election administrators and voters alike. Ben Merriman, associate professor of public affairs and administration, traces how the American presidency accumulated so much power over time. Kevin Mullinix, associate professor of political science, closes the day by examining civic norms and the challenge of holding leaders accountable for antidemocratic rhetoric.

Have questions about a specific session or speaker? Write to the organizers at [email protected] for details before the event.

The Center for Democratic Governance: A New Research Hub

Democracy Day also marks a milestone for the Center for Democratic Governance itself. Founded in 2024 and housed within KU’s Institute for Policy and Social Research, the center was created to advance the understanding of democratic governance and to encourage collaboration among researchers who rarely share a single department. Co-directed by Christopher Koliba and Ashley Muddiman, the center deliberately spans disciplines, on the premise that no single field can explain how democracies function or fail.

That interdisciplinary approach shows in the Democracy Day lineup, which draws presenters from at least six departments. For graduate students and early-career researchers, the center represents an opportunity to situate their work within a broader network. Faculty, students, and staff interested in becoming center affiliates can contact [email protected] to learn about affiliation requirements and collaboration opportunities.

What Attendees Gain: From Research Findings to Civic Engagement

Readers may reasonably ask what practical value a campus teach-in offers. The answer lies in the direct connections between this research and everyday civic decisions.

• Media literacy: Research on journalistic transparency gives audiences concrete criteria for evaluating news sources, which strengthens the information environment that democracy depends on.
• Election confidence: Studies on election administration and public trust help local officials communicate more effectively and help voters understand the safeguards built into the system.
• Inclusive participation: Work on reimagining the public square offers templates for communities seeking to widen civic engagement beyond the usual participants.
• Institutional awareness: Historical and political analysis of presidential power and accountability norms equips citizens to evaluate constitutional questions with more than partisan instinct.

Each of these takeaways translates into more informed voting, better public debate, and stronger local institutions. That is the practical promise of civic research when it reaches a public audience.

Explore our related articles on civic engagement, public administration, and media credibility for further reading before the event.

How to Attend and Get Involved

Democracy Day takes place on September 18, 2026, at the University of Kansas Lawrence campus, with sessions running from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Attendance details and registration information are available on the Center for Democratic Governance event webpage. Members of the media interested in covering the event should contact Emma Howard at [email protected], and general media inquiries can be directed to Carolyn Caine at the Institute for Policy and Social Research.

Planning to attend? Share which session interests you most in the comments below, and encourage classmates, colleagues, or community groups to join you. Events like this gain value from the range of perspectives in the room.

Taking Stock of Self-Governance

The 250th anniversary of American independence offers a rare occasion for collective reflection, and the University of Kansas is using it to ask difficult questions rather than offer easy reassurances. Democracy Day gathers researchers who study communication, education, populism, corruption, elections, and executive power, then invites the public into the conversation. That combination of rigorous research and open dialogue is exactly what democratic governance requires to remain healthy.

If you are in or near Lawrence on September 18, reserve your place through the center’s event webpage and come prepared with questions. Faculty, students, and staff who want sustained involvement beyond the event can reach out about affiliate opportunities. The future of government by the people and for the people depends on citizens who show up, listen to the evidence, and take part in the discussion.