The number of college students across the nation who voted in the midterms doubled between 2014 and 2018. At Duke University, the voting rate was even higher – it jumped 114 percent. We explore how that jump happened and what specific strategies other colleges could use to increase their own student voting rates. Sanford School […]
POLIS
Ep. 90 Housekeeper / City Council Member
Research shows that working-class people almost never become politicians, but Carmen Castillo is both a hotel housekeeper and a Providence Rhode Island City Council member. Yet when Carmen first began to work as a housekeeper, the only English words she knew were “yes” and “no.” Carmen joins Sanford School of Public Policy Dean Judith Kelley […]
Ep. 64 Presidential March Madness
It’s March Madness, but instead of basketball, we’re pitting U.S. presidents from throughout the ages against each other. Who will be crowned the best president? Will it be Washington or Honest Abe? Maybe FDR? Or perhaps a dark horse will emerge. What criteria should we be using to determine what makes a great president? Honesty? […]
Ep. 56 Students Learn to Lean Across the Aisle
A student-led initiative on college campuses in North Carolina is tackling one of the most important issue of our time – political polarization. The project, called Leaders for Political Dialogue, convenes students from Duke, N.C. State, UNC and N.C. Central. Students spend a weekend learning how to communicate better with those whose political opinions may […]