
Democracy360 brings together thought leaders, journalists, policymakers, scholars, activists, artists, and students of all ages to imagine how we can collectively shape a thriving democratic future.
Five of the conversations took place at the Paramount Theater and streamed on VPM’s YouTube channel.
Karsh Extra
The 14th Amendment: When Should a Presidential Candidate Be Disqualified?
This event is co-hosted by UVA’s Karsh Institute of Democracy and the Karsh Center for Law and Democracy at UVA School of Law.
Speakers:
- J. Michael Luttig, Distinguished Fellow in Law and Democracy, University of Virginia, Former Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- Kurt Lash, E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor of Law, University of Richmond
- Melody Barnes, Karsh Institute of Democracy Executive Director, University of Virginia
October 19, 2023 Sessions
Big Tech's Effect on Democracy
Hosted and produced by the Karsh Institute of Democracy and the UVA School of Data Science
Speakers:
- Alexis Ohanian, Founder, Seven Seven Six
- Deb Roy, Center for Constructive Communication at MIT
- Kara Swisher, Host, On with Kara Swisher
Mayors: The Frontline Workers for Democracy
In the United States and across the world, mayors are taking on increased political importance as they combat complex governance challenges. How are mayoral decisions impacting those within and beyond their city limits?
Speakers:
- Mattie Parker, Mayor of Fort Worth, TX
- Evan Smith, Co-Founder, The Texas Tribune
- Levar Stoney, Mayor of Richmond, VA
Civics 101: Educating Engaged Citizens and Future Leaders
Experts in education discuss the critical influence of civic learning on workforce development, the role two-year institutions of higher education play, and what it means to educate whole citizens.
Speakers:
- Carrie Billy, Former President, American Indian Higher Education Consortium
- Arne Duncan, Former U.S. Secretary of Education
- Aimee Rogstad Guidera, Virginia Secretary of Education
- Lenore Rodicio, Senior Fellow, Aspen Institute College Experience Program
- James E. Ryan, President, University of Virginia
October 20, 2023 Sessions
Public Media and Democracy
Hosted and produced by the Karsh Institute of Democracy
Speakers:
- Margaret Low, CEO, WBUR in Boston
- Evan Smith, Co-Founder, The Texas Tribune
- Lauren Williams, CEO & Co-Founder, Capital B
- Kimi Yoshino, Editor-in-Chief, The Baltimore Banner
Stories of America: Democracy, Identity,
and Culture
Hosted and produced by the Karsh Institute of Democracy
Speakers:
- Melody Barnes, Executive Director, UVA’s Karsh Institute of Democracy
- Daniel Darling, Director, Land Center for Cultural Engagement
- Conor Friedersdorf, Staff Writer, The Atlantic
- Cecilia Muñoz, Former Director of White House Domestic Policy Council
- Annise Parker, President and CEO, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LBGTQ+ Victory Institute
Covering the White House
Hosted and produced by the Karsh Institute of Democracy and the Miller Center of Public Affairs
Speakers:
- Laura Barrón-López, White House correspondent, PBS NewsHour
- Mike Emanuel, Chief Washington correspondent, Fox News
- Elaina Plott Calabro, Staff Writer, The Atlantic
- Judy Woodruff, Former Anchor, NewsHour
October 21, 2023 Sessions
A Global Imperative: Free Press, Free Flow
of Ideas
Hosted and produced by the Karsh Institute of Democracy
Speakers:
- Michael Abramowitz, President, Freedom House
- Amna Nawaz, Co-anchor, PBS NewsHour
- Michael Powell, Staff Writer, The Atlantic
Democracy, the Constitution, and the Rule
of Law with Judge J. Michael Luttig
Hosted and produced by the Karsh Institute of Democracy
Speakers:
- Adam Harris, Staff Writer, The Atlantic
- J. Michael Luttig, Former Federal Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Live ‘Crystal Ball’ with Larry Sabato
Hosted and produced by the Karsh Institute of Democracy
Speakers:
- Jamelle Bouie, Columnist, The New York Times
- Larry Sabato, Director and Founder, UVA’s Center for Politics
- Tara Setmayer, Senior Advisor, The Lincoln Project
- Sean Trende, Senior Elections Analyst, RealClearPolitics
Satire as Political Changemaker
Hosted and produced by the Karsh Institute of Democracy
Speakers:
- Barbara Brandon-Croft, Cartoonist, Drawn + Quarterly
- Laurent Dubois, Academic Director, UVA’s Karsh Institute of Democracy
- Jeffrey Koterba, Editorial Cartoonist, Cagle Cartoon Syndicate
- Pedro Xavier Molina, Opinion Cartoonist, Confidential; Counterpoint
- Rayma Suprani, Freelance Editorial Cartoonist
‘Renegade’ with Adam Kinzinger
Hosted and produced by the Karsh Institute of Democracy
Speakers:
- Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief, The Atlantic
- Adam Kinzinger, Former US Congressman, Illinois’ 16th District
Visit Democracy360 to view the full schedule of events in Charlottesville.
Democracy360 is hosted by the Karsh Institute and produced in partnership with UVA’s Center for Politics, College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, Karsh Center for Law and Democracy, and Miller Center of Public Affairs. The Atlantic is the official media partner of Democracy360 and VPM is the streaming partner.
