Well, honestly, there was a little too much democratic engagement to contain to one week, but we did our best!
Empowering Future Generations to Strengthen Our Democracy
Democracy in Action
The guiding principle of the Rutgers Democracy Lab (RDL) is that democracy offers the best path for protecting liberty and individual rights. Yet democracy is fragile and requires active participation from all citizens to thrive, now and for generations to come. Our democracy is strengthened when we participate in civic life, engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold differing views, and work together towards a more perfect union.
Inaugural Theme 2025-2026: Inspiring Democratic Engagement.
This theme will be woven through the core components of the Rutgers Democracy Lab: Civic Learning, Democratic Engagement, Talking across Difference, and Cyber-Social Civics. Read more here.
News
New initiative within the Rutgers Democracy Lab at the Eagleton Institute of Politics will examine how social media, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies influence political behavior.
With its founding in 1956, Eagleton blazed a trail in higher education by linking the study of politics with the practice – supplying our students not just with an understanding of politics but with the skills and disposition of engaged citizenship.
This week, the Rutgers Democracy Lab welcomed its inaugural cohort for the Think & Do Tank, an immersive civic learning and capacity-building experience, strengthening students’ skills in democratic citizenship and problem-solving.
This past summer, 147 students worked alongside state and national policymakers, tackled issues of food and housing insecurity, urban planning and made a difference in many other ways through Scarlet Service.
At a time when higher education is in the national spotlight—grappling with free speech debates, polarization, and questions about its role in democracy—some professors are leaning in, not backing down.
President Jonathan Holloway and Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, addressed the topic, “What is a constitutional crisis and are we in one?’’ during Rutgers Democracy Lab’s inaugural event.
Rutgers–New Brunswick political experts discuss key issues, past trends and the crowded field of candidates
Students participating in building a democracy wall.
Events
Friday, January 30, 2026, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. | The Commons at The Yard New Brunswick, 08901 United States
Tuesday, December 09, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. | Alexander Pane Room
Tuesday, December 09, 2025, 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. | College Ave Student Center - Multipurpose Room
Monday, November 10, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 06, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. | The Yard on College Ave
Monday, October 27, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 1:00 p.m. | Rutgers Camden Campus Center, Raptor Roost and Main Lounge
DEMOCRACY WEEK 2025: We the People: A Student-Led Governance Simulation for Ethical AI & Public Data
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | virtual: YouTube & broadcast via Jose Marti STEM Academy’s Civic & Governance Club Website
Friday, October 24, 2025, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Eagleton Institute of Politics, Drawing Room, New Brunswick
Friday, October 24, 2025, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Douglass Student Center - Trayes Hall
Thursday, October 23, 2025, 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. | Eagleton Institute of Politics, 1st Floor Drawing Room
Thursday, October 23, 2025, 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. | Murray Hall 303
Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 11:50 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | Cook Student Center 202B
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 5:45 p.m.-7:00 p.m. | Kathleen W. Ludwig Global Village Living Learning Center
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m. | Digital Studies Center (DiSC), Rutgers-Camden (Johnson Park)
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. | RUC Raptor Roost & RU-NB Paul Robeson Cultural Center
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Eagleton Institute of Politics
Monday, October 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. | PRCC ESSEX room
Saturday, October 18, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Rutgers NJMS Medical Science Building, Room B516
Friday, October 17, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. | Zoom
Friday, October 17, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | Room 524B, 106 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ
Thursday, October 16, 2025, 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. | Rutgers Theological Seminary, New Brunswick
Thursday, October 16, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. | Trayes Hall (Douglass Student Center)
Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. | Alexander Library Hatchery
Friday, October 10, 2025, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Trenton
Wednesday, October 08, 2025, 6:15 p.m.-9:00 p.m. | Trayes Hall
Thursday, September 25, 2025, 11:30 a.m.-Friday, September 26, 2025, 1:00 p.m. | Eagleton Institute of Politics
Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. | New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick
Friday, September 05, 2025, 12:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. | College Ave Student Center Multipurpose Room
Friday, August 29, 2025, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. | Alexander Library, New Brunswick
Friday, April 25, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | Rutgers Business School, Piscataway
Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. | Alexander Library, Jetstream, New Brunswick
Wednesday, April 02, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | South BC Conference Room, Student Center, Camden
Highlights from the Digital Democracy Wall
Below is a video showcasing the important and creative work of our students for a brand-new initiative called The Digital Democracy Wall. The purpose is to develop meaningful content addressing key questions in our civic and political landscape. Students will share their research, interview peers and professors on relevant topics, and collaborate with each other on innovative solutions for issues that matter to them.