Some institutions are home to centers that study and aim to improve democracy. Among other functions, they involve students in their research, and they may study civic education.

On this panel, to discuss their institutions, civic involvement, and research, are:

Jessica Kimpell Johnson, Director of Research, Karsh Institute of Democracy; Manager of the John L. Nau III Lab on the History & Principles of Democracy, University of Virginia

Amy Binder, SNF-Agora Professor of Sociology, Johns Hopkins University

Mindy Romero, Founder and Director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID), University of Southern California’s Sol Price School of Public Policy in Sacramento

Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, Founding Director of the Center for Governance and Markets; Professor, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

Moderator: Leela Strong, Newhouse Director of the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), Tisch College at Tufts University

Photo by Laurie Swope for Tufts University, Apr 10, 2026.

This panel is part of the Civics in Higher Education National Summit that took place on the Tufts University campus on April 10, 2026.