Programs

Each year, the Center for Politics hosts the Virginia Political History Project, in a continuing effort to preserve an oral history of modern Virginia politics. In partnership with the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, this project has examined the administrations of Virginia's more recent, former governors and other high-ranking elected officials, as well as explored the dynamics of various institutions of Virginia government.

Each year, the University of Virginia Center for Politics presents the annual American Democracy Conference. Growing from the first National Post Election Conference in 1998, these gatherings not only examine the last election cycle but also attempt to discuss the state of American democracy and its future prospects. The event is free and open to the public with advance registration.

The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) provides free civics and government resources to K-12 educators nationwide. YLI's engaging lesson plans and simulations are designed to motivate students to participate in the American political process.

A comprehensive Web site run by the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, Center Director Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball features detailed and frequently updated analyses for a wide spectrum of political races from around the country. The Crystal Ball keeps tabs on presidential elections, along with every Senate and gubernatorial race, as well as the tightest campaigns for the House. Users may subscribe to receive Crystal Ball e-mail updates.

The Center for Politics hosts candidate debates, which give voters a glimpse of candidates' abilities to provide unscripted responses to questions posed by interested citizens, journalists, political scientists, and students.

The Center for Politics grants Awards for Civic Excellence (ACE) to University of Virginia undergraduate students and educators registered with the Youth Leadership Initiative. ACE grants for students enable undergraduates to gain practical experience in politics and government through summer internships. Student internship placements could include participation in civic-related community outreach, work on political campaigns, voter registration efforts and positions in the offices of elected or appointed officials.

As one of the nation's premier institutions of this kind, the Center for Politics has launched numerous programs that have a real impact on increasing political education and participation. Each year the Center bring top elected officials to the University for students and community members alike.

Since 1984, the Center for the Liberal Arts has made a commitment to content enrichment for K-12 teachers across Virginia and beyond. Every year hundreds of teachers attend our programs that are offered in a wide array of disciplines, including Art and Architecture, Classics, English, French, German, History, Mathematics, Politics, Science, and Spanish.

The Scripps Library and Multimedia Archive serves as a research facility for scholars of U.S. public policy.

Broadcast by all of Virginia's public radio stations, With Good Reason is an eclectic blend of timely features and interviews designed to appeal to general audiences. Each week scholars explore the worlds of literature, science, the arts, politics, history, and business, connecting their research to what is happening now. From the controversies over slave reparations and global warming, to the unique worlds of comic books and wine-making, With Good Reason presents timely, extended coverage of issues that challenge how we view ourselves and the world.