Informing policy. Inspiring leadership. Guiding action.
![Woman on stage leading panel discussion at the SCPS American Dream event](/system/files/article-images/scps_american_dream-event.png)
Civic Engagement
Democracy faces enormous challenges in our local communities, our nation, and across the globe. UVA is committed to being a university that responds to those pressures by researching best practices and supporting democratic engagement. Three major units focus on public service to the Commonwealth (Weldon Cooper Center), presidential scholarship, public policy and political history (Miller Center), and civic education and political participation (Center for Politics) while numerous units embedded in the schools support civic engagement and well-being in more discrete areas.
![Weldon Cooper Center logo](/sites/provost/files/styles/article_large_image/public/WeldonCooper.jpg?itok=sa3TvxQ-)
![Miller Center logo](/sites/provost/files/styles/article_large_image/public/MillerCenter.jpg?itok=xdXJnHhq)
Presidential scholarship, public policy, and political history.
![Center for Politics logo](/sites/provost/files/styles/article_large_image/public/CFP-logo.png?itok=iACVVG-1)
Study and promotion of civic education and political participation.
![National Security Policy Center logo](/sites/provost/files/styles/article_large_image/public/National-Security-Policy.png?itok=XgcLUjUz)
Training, research, and engagement on security policy.
![Karsh Center logo](/sites/provost/files/styles/article_large_image/public/karsh-center.jpg?itok=9IM6Ag5n)
Principles and practices for a well-functioning, pluralistic democracy.
![Center for Effective Lawmaking logo](/sites/provost/files/styles/article_large_image/public/Center-Effective-lawmaking.png?itok=_eMZ4p05)
Effectiveness of individual lawmakers and legislative institutions.
![UVA Humanitarian Collaborative Logo](/sites/provost/files/styles/article_large_image/public/uvahumanitariancollaborative.png?itok=hSyN9Luu)
Partners with scholars, practitioners, students and communities to work together towards overcoming critical humanitarian and development challenges around the world.
![Program on Constitutionalism and Democracy](/sites/provost/files/styles/article_large_image/public/program-constitutionalism-democracy_0.png?itok=rGV2Xrjn)
Scholarship and teaching informed by political theory and political science.
![Democracy Initiative logo](/sites/provost/files/styles/article_large_image/public/democracy-Initiative.png?itok=ZEh4z1TV)
Integrated research, teaching, and public engagement on democracy.
![Center for Media and Citizenship](/sites/provost/files/styles/article_large_image/public/media-and-citizenship.png?itok=oJh5IzSi)
Studying citizen self-governance in a rapidly changing media environment.
![CommPas Logo](/sites/provost/files/styles/article_large_image/public/CommPas.png?itok=vqvCa5xg)
Producing research for the greater Charlottesville community.