Institute for Democratic Engagement & Accountability (IDEA)

The Foundational Principle of IDEA

We are grounded in a fundamental principle: When citizens and elected officials participate in civil, representative, and focused dialogue, it fosters mutual respect, enhances decision-making, and builds greater faith in the democratic process.

5
Countries Where DTHs Have Been Held
95%
Of participants say Deliberative Town Halls are "very valuable for democracy"
11%
Avg. Increase in Trust in Participating Elected Official

Upcoming Events

Dr. Annelise Russell from the University of Kentucky
Wed, March 11, 2026
Event Start Time: 1:30 pm
Event Location: Spencer Room (2130 Derby Hall)

Recent News

Dr. Annelise Russell from the University of Kentucky

Dr. Annelise Russell Visits IDEA to Discuss Congress's Communication Crisis

What happens when the institution responsible for governing a nation cannot keep up with the speed of its own information environment? That is the question at the heart of Dr. Annelise Russell's…

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 International Day of Women and Girls in Science

From a Genetics Lab to the Heart of Democracy: A Conversation with Dr. Amanda Robinson A cold call to a future Nobel laureate, a childhood in rural Alabama, and sixteen years of friendships in Malawi…

MarcoCastradori

A Conversation with Marco Castradori

"This Was the First Time I Felt Like a Real Citizen": What Nigeria's Deliberative Town Halls Revealed About the Hunger for Democracy     In January 2024, IDEA brought its Deliberative Town…

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IDEA Research Spotlight: Dr. Ryan Kennedy

When Competition Becomes Demonization What keeps a democracy researcher up at night? For Dr. Ryan Kennedy, IDEA research expert, it's this: "How competition has quickly turned into mutual…

People Directory

Director of the Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability (IDEA); Professor of Political Science and (by courtesy) Philosophy, Communication, and Public Policy
Associate Director
Professor, Political Science
Andrei Baronov and Ratmir Timashev Endowed Chair in Data Analytics