Institute for Democracy & Higher Education

Institute for Democracy & Higher Education. The Institute for Democracy & Higher Education is a nonpartisan applied research and resource organization based at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. Its primary mission is to advance college student civic learning and political participation as a core component of a healthy American democracy. The institute is best known for creating and administering the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement, a signature research initiative that tracks student voting rates at participating colleges and universities across the United States.

History and founding

The institute was established in 2012 within the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, building upon the university's long-standing commitment to civic engagement and public service. Its creation was a strategic response to growing concerns about declining youth political participation and the need for stronger evidence-based practices within higher education to foster democratic engagement. The founding director, Nancy Thomas, a scholar of democracy and higher education, helped shape its initial focus on bridging research with practical campus action. Early support and collaboration came from various foundations and higher education associations interested in strengthening the democratic mission of colleges and universities.

Mission and objectives

The core mission of the institute is to shift institutional priorities, practices, and culture to advance student political learning and participation in democracy. Its objectives center on producing actionable research, providing direct support to campus leaders, and advocating for the role of higher education in sustaining a vibrant civil society. A key tenet is that colleges and universities have a distinct responsibility to prepare informed, engaged citizens, which is essential for addressing complex societal challenges. The institute operates as a nonpartisan entity, focusing on processes of democratic engagement rather than partisan outcomes or specific policy agendas.

Key programs and initiatives

The flagship initiative is the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement, which partners with thousands of institutions to confidentially measure and report student registration and voting rates using National Student Clearinghouse data. Another major program is the Democracy Commitment, a national network of community colleges dedicated to fostering civic learning. The institute also runs the Political Learning and Democratic Engagement project, which offers resources, workshops, and a peer network for academic and student affairs professionals. Additional initiatives include focused work on assessing campus climate for political discussion and supporting student voting during major elections like the 2020 United States presidential election.

Research and publications

The institute's research agenda is driven by the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement, which generates comprehensive reports on national student voting trends, disaggregated by institutional type, discipline, age, and other demographics. It publishes annual data briefs, deep-dive analyses on specific topics like enrollment barriers or electoral participation gaps, and campus-specific reports for participating institutions. Other significant publications include practical guides like "**Toward a More Perfect Democracy**" and frameworks for assessing civic learning outcomes. Its research is frequently cited by organizations such as the American Association of Colleges and Universities and the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

Impact and recognition

The institute has significantly influenced the national conversation on student voting and civic learning, with its data being used by the All In Campus Democracy Challenge, NASPA, and the American Council on Education. Its work contributed to a notable increase in student voter turnout, as documented between the 2016 and 2020 elections. The institute's frameworks and tools have been adopted by hundreds of campuses to reform curriculum, co-curricular programming, and administrative policies. It has received grant support from major foundations like the Hewlett Foundation and the Knight Foundation for its evidence-based approach to strengthening democratic engagement.

Organizational structure and leadership

The institute is an integral part of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. It is led by a director, Nancy Thomas, who oversees a team of researchers, project managers, and outreach specialists. The staff collaborates closely with other centers within Tisch College, such as the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. Strategic guidance is provided by an advisory board comprising scholars, higher education leaders, and practitioners in the field of civic engagement. The institute operates with funding from philanthropic foundations, institutional partnerships, and Tufts University itself. Category:Research institutes in the United States Category:Tufts University Category:Organizations based in Massachusetts Category:Organizations established in 2012 Category:Democracy organizations