Democracy Summit

Democracy Summit, March 5-7, 2025

The CLA Democracy Summit was launched in 2024 during CSU's thematic year of democracy. This year, the summit's theme is democratic innovation. The summit is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts, the Department of Politicial Science, and the Department of Communication Studies.

All events are free and open to the public.

March 5

March 6

March 7

March 5, 2025

Opening Keynote Talk by Professor Darrick Hamilton

"Democracy, Race and Economic Inclusion: A Vision for a Human Rights Economy"

4:30 p.m. - Reception

5:20 p.m. - Talk followed by Q&A

Lory Student Center Ballroom D

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Dr. Darrick Hamilton is the Henry Cohen Professor of Economics and Urban Policy and the founding director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at The New School for Social Research, and was recently named chief economist for the AFL-CIO.

Professor Darrick Hamilton

March 6, 2025

Research Presentation Sessions

9:30 - 10:45 am

Democracy, Ecology, Science and Myth: An Interdisciplinary Conversation
(LSC Room 376)
Presented by professors Dan Beachy-Quick, Greg Dickinson, David McIvor, Johnny Plastini, and Colin Rice
Brotherhood and Democracy in Colorado: Fraternal Organizations, Unions, and Mob Violence
(LSC Room 386)
Presented by professor Ann Little and graduate students Sean Nelson, Devon Rebelez, Melanie Grande, and Evan Stackpole

11 a.m. - 12:15 pm

Wildfires, Grass Roots, and Local Harvests: Democratic Civil Society in Northern Colorado
(LSC Room 376)
Presented by professor Ann Little and graduate students Samantha Hanek, George Moncaster, and Logan French
The Living Library Project: Bridgebuilding Through Innovative Storytelling and Radical Listening
(LSC Room 386)
Presented by professor Elizabeth Sink and Leah Holz

2 - 3:15 p.m.

Democracy under Stress: Global Perspectives
(LSC Room 376)
Presented by professors JB Bae, Gamze Çavdar, and Ernesto Sagas
Building Belonging through Community-Led Dialogue and Action: Key Findings from CSU's Rural Action Project
(LSC Room 386)
Presented by Patti Schmidt, Sabrina Slagowski-Tipton, Katie Knobloch, Jonathan Cable, and Kinsey Zeigner

Keynote Talk by Professor Lee Drutman

"Building Back a Better Democracy-Breaking the Two Party Doom Loop"

12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

Lory Student Center Never No Summer

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Dr. Drutman is a senior fellow at the  think tank New America, a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, the co-host of the podcast Politics in Question, the co-founder of Fix Our House, a campaign for proportional representation in America, and the co-founder of the Center for Ballot Freedom, which advocates for fusion voting.

Author and lecturer Lee Drutman

Special Event: Bernie Rollin Memorial Lecture

"Animal Dignity" by Professor Lori Gruen

4 p.m.

Lory Student Center Longs Peak Room 302

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Dr. Gruen is the William Griffin Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Science in Society at Wesleyan University where she also coordinates Wesleyan Animal Studies.

Professor Lori Gruen, the William Griffin Professor of Philosophy

Local Governance and Innovation

4 - 5 p.m.

Lory Student Center Never No Summer

Panelists: Carly Koppes (Weld County Clerk and Recorder), Kristin Stephens (Larimer County Commissioner), Ann Hutchison (Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce), and Kirsten Decker (Denver Public Library)

This is a conversation on the future of local governance and the role of innovation in shaping sustainable, effective communities. Join forward-thinking local leaders from various sectors to explore how creative ideas and new solutions are revolutionizing local governance

Headshots of four local women leaders in the Front Range of Colorado

CSU: The Democracy Project

A screening of the documentary about democracy at CSU.

6 p.m. Doors open

6:30 p.m. Screening of film

7 p.m. Q&A

Lory Student Center Theatre

March 7, 2025

Research Presentation Sessions

9 - 10 a.m.

Dancing for Climate Action
(LSC Room 376)
Presented by professor Grace Gallagher and student collaborators
Creating the Civics Classroom: How to Build a Pedagogy for Critical Youth Engagement
(LSC Room 386)
Presented by Louise Jennings, Katie Knobloch, Tamanda Chabvuta, Silvia Terol

Hot Takes: Responding to the Shifting Landscape in Higher Education

9 - 10:15 a.m.
Lory Student Center Room 390

Faculty and students will talk about the shifting federal landscape as it pertains to higher education. Topics include: economics, research, and the "Dear Colleagues" letter.

Featuring Courtenay Daum, Political Science; Jebrail Dempsey, ASCSU; Sue Doe, TILT, English, and Center for the Study of Academic Labor; Jennifer Martin, Animal Sciences & Faculty Rep to the CSU Board of Governors; Cass Moseley, VP for Research

Presidential Session with Charlie Baker

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Lory Student Center Ballroom D

President Amy Parsons hosts a session with NCAA President Charlie Baker.

Student Focused Events

Ramplify: Community Engagement in Action

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Lory Student Center Never No Summer

Come visit with organizations across CSU and the city and learn how you can get involved in the issues important to you.

Code vs. Consequence: The Tech & Policy Debate on Misinformation and Social Media

12 - 1 p.m. | Lory Student Center Room 390

Presented by Dominik Stecula, Assistant Professor of Communication, The Ohio State University

In the age of rapidly evolving technology, social media platforms have become a primary vehicle for communication, information dissemination, and public discourse. However, they have also emerged as powerful channels for the spread of misinformation, manipulation, and harmful narratives. Join us for an engaging panel discussion focused on the complexities surrounding misinformation and AI in the world of social media.

Fort Collins Civic Simulation

1 - 3 p.m. | Lory Student Center Room 386

Join us for an immersive local government experience where players act as city council members making high-stakes decisions that shape the city's future. Collaborate, debate, and compete with other teams to lead Fort Collins to success or failure.