Civic Engagement
Networking to Build a Stronger and Healthier Democracy
A founding ethos of MDI is to generate collaborative scholarship on democracy into the everyday practices of our campus and surrounding communities.
Teaching & Learning
One way MDI meets its mission is through teaching and learning initiatives that address civic education and engagement in PreK-12 and higher education.
What We Do
The Maryland Democracy Initiative grows the capacity of all people for a lifetime of civic participation in service to a fairer and more just society. We accomplish this through innovative, interdisciplinary, community-centered research, teaching, learning, and civic engagement.
Research
Central to MDI’s mission is advancing scholarship to solve the grand challenge of democracy. Our current research activities include:
Partners
Campus Partners
Connect with An Expert
Seeking an expert for your news story, research, or publication? The MDI Team has University of Maryland faculty members with expertise in areas including voting rights and laws, civic engagement curriculum, misinformation and disinformation in the media, and so much more. Contact us, and we will match you with one of our experts.
David Backer
Research Professor; Research Director, Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland
Tom Rosenstiel
Eleanor Merrill Visiting Professor on the Future of Journalism
Rafael Lorente
Dean and Professor of the Practice, Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Antoine Banks
Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Government and Politics, College of Behavioral & Social Sciences; Director of the Government and Politics Research Lab