John J. Farmer, Jr., former Dean of Rutgers School of Law—Newark, University Professor Emeritus, Justice Alan B. Handler Scholar, and Eagleton Institute of Politics Affiliate, recently published an op-ed in The Hill.
Empowering Future Generations to Strengthen Our Democracy
Democracy isn't a spectator sport — it’s something you practice.
The Rutgers Democracy Lab (RDL) creates opportunities for students to build civic skills, talk across differences, and work together to solve real-world problems. We collaborate with faculty, staff, and community partners to combine research on youth civic engagement, technology, and democracy with innovative programs that help students turn ideas into action. Our goal is simple: we mobilize the power of Rutgers to strengthen democracy.
Change Starts Here:
What will YOUR impact be?
We catalyze civic opportunities in several areas: Dialogue Across Differences, Technology and Democracy, Public Spaces, Arts, and Civic Life, and Public Engagement.
News
Rutgers Democracy Lab Chief Operating Officer Ava Majlesi was featured as a Star-Ledger guest columnist on NJ.Com.
Dr. Nicholas V. Longo has been appointed as the inaugural Director of the Rutgers Democracy Lab at the Eagleton Institute of Politics. Dr. Longo joins Rutgers from Providence College, where he served as Chair and Professor of Global Studies and Co-Director of the Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy (DID) Lab, an action-research initiative focused on civil discourse, democratic skill-building, and inclusive public engagement.
Eagleton Institute of Politics Director Elizabeth Matto argues in a NJ.com guest opinion that America's 250th anniversary is best honored with active democratic participation beyond the ballot-box.
Well, honestly, there was a little too much democratic engagement to contain to one week, but we did our best!
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.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, July 08, 2026, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. | Livingston Student Center