Episode 7: The Dynamics of Democracy in Higher Education

The founders of the US argued the necessity of a robust system of public education to support democracy. One of US higher education’s missions was to foster an educated populace who could engage in debate and dialogue. Over the past century, the role of higher education in the US democratic has shifted, and, recently, has become highly politicized. This episode will discuss the current and potential role of higher education in this civic moment.

Our Guest

Dr. Nancy Thomas directs the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education (a/k/a IDHE) at Tufts University.  Launched nearly ten years ago, IDHE is what’s called an applied research center, meaning their research informs learning and practice. IDHE has five areas of research:  college student voting, campus climates for political learning and participation , political discussion, classroom teaching methods around matters of public concern, and higher education’s role in a democracy in question. In case you haven’t made this connection, Dr. Thomas designed and launched NSLVE (“n-solve”), the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement. NSLVE reports tell us how many of Wash U students voted, with breakdowns by demographics like age and gender, and field of study. She also has a long history of studying discussion, free speech, and inclusion on campuses. Her passion, besides skiing and kayaking and her kids, is around higher education’s role in reinventing democracy to be more inclusive, equitable, and just. She holds a doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and, as a loyal mid-westerner, a law degree from Case Western Reserve University.

About American Democracy Lab

 The American Democracy Lab podcast at WashU brings together experts from different fields and backgrounds to talk about an issue or aspect of our American democracy and where different perspectives may converge.

Launched on Presidents’ Day 2021, the American Democracy Lab podcast is hosted by Associate Professor Alan Lambert and presented by the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement in partnership with WashU Engage and the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences.

Additional Episodes of American Democracy Lab

American Democracy Lab

Episode 7: The Dynamics of Democracy in Higher Education

The founders of the US argued the necessity of a robust system of public education to support democracy. One of US higher education’s missions was to foster an educated populace who could engage in debate and dialogue. Over the past century, the role of higher education in the US democratic has shifted, and, recently, has become highly politicized. This episode […]

American Democracy Lab

Episode 6: The Legacy of January 6, 2021 (Part 2)

In part two of our conversation revisiting the insurrection at the US Capitol Building on January 6, 2021, guests Richard Gephardt and Zach Wamp discuss the history of elections in the United States and identify potential reforms that could increase trust in the system. They offer their advice to current members of Congress on how to bridge the widening gap between Republicans and Democrats to restore faith in our democracy.

American Democracy Lab

Episode 6: The Legacy of January 6, 2021 (Part 1)

Our guests, the Honorable Richard ‘Dick’ Gephardt and Zach Wamp, spent much of their careers working inside the Capitol building as members of the US House of Representatives. In this conversation, they reflect on January 6th, recounting where they were when they first heard about the attack, what the legacy of January 6th represents for our democracy, and where we as a nation go from here.

American Democracy Lab

Episode 5: Influencing Democracy

How do we build trust among Americans who have turned their back on the truth? How can we heal the deep divisions in our country? Host Alan Lambert welcomes author, lecturer, and journalist Anne Nelson to discuss the eroding trust in our democracy through a conversation about influence and information, an exploration of the Council […]

American Democracy Lab

Episode 4: Fueling our Democracy

The fate of our democracy is increasingly entwined in the systems that govern and guide our economy, culture, environment, and more. Guest Nate Hagens and host Alan Lambert discuss big questions, including: How is energy related to climate change and what does this imply about future? Why are climate and energy issues so important to […]