Photo courtesy Steven Zucker via flickr
About us
Who counts as a “real” American? What is required of a “good” citizen? Is American democracy flourishing or floundering? In today’s deeply polarized America, the answers to these questions depend on who you ask, but the ways that people answer them matter for us all. The Meanings of Democracy Lab, founded and directed by sociologist Dr. Ruth Braunstein, engages students and partners in collaborative research and discussion about the contested moral and cultural foundations of American democratic life. Current projects focus on the moral meanings of taxpaying and on battles over American identity and history.
Contact us
If you are interested in participating in or collaborating with the Meanings of Democracy Lab, please contact
Dr. Ruth Braunstein at ruth.braunstein@uconn.edu.
What’s New
- New research on public funding of abortionIn a research note published in the March 2022 issue of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, lab director Ruth Braunstein, along with coauthors Andrew Whitehead and Ryan Burge review national public opinion data on public funding of abortion: Abstract: An abundance of research examines Americans’ attitudes toward abortion legality and morality with […]
- Introducing our Fall 2022 TeamThis Fall, the Meanings of Democracy Lab welcomes a new cohort of Undergraduate Research Assistants! Gloria Dickson Harrison Hua Brianna Monte The team brings a diverse mix of research skills and interests, and will be sharing the results of their work together throughout the semester through the Lab’s website and social media channels, so stay […]
- Lab featured in UConn TodayUConn Today has written an article featuring the Meanings of Democracy Lab and its director Dr. Ruth Braunstein, with commentary from winners of the Meanings of America Contest and Dr. Susan Herbst. Check it out!