Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy

08/21/2026

Earlier this summer, we welcomed two groups of high school juniors and seniors to Constitutional Democracy Academy, a weeklong program exploring the history, theory, and design of the US Constitution. From living on campus and studying at the Kinder Institute to participating in field trips and social events, students experienced a week full of learning, discovery, and connection.

This is always a highlight of the summer. Watch for details on applications for Summer 2027.

08/20/2026

What an incredible two days! The 13th annual Society of Fellows Conference wrapped yesterday at the Tiger Hotel, bringing together 21 undergraduate fellows for lectures and discussions on topics ranging from the politics of sound and documentary filmmaking to early American elections and city planning and zoning.

Thank you to our guest speakers, the Tiger Hotel staff, and everyone who helped make this year’s conference such a memorable experience!

08/12/2026

Congratulations to Kinder Institute Associate Director Dr. Billy Coleman, whose article, “Commemoration, Creation, and Sounding the Nation’s Future at St. Louis’s Bicentennial Horizons of American Music,” has been featured in the latest issue of the Journal of Modern American History from Cambridge University Press.

In the article, Dr. Coleman explores the 1976 Bicentennial of American Independence, a defining moment in American commemoration, through the efforts of Elizabeth Gentry Sayad, the driving force behind St. Louis’s Bicentennial Horizons of American Music (BHAM).

Join us in congratulating Dr. Coleman on this exciting publication!

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/modern-american-history/article/commemoration-creation-and-sounding-the-nations-future-at-st-louiss-bicentennial-horizons-of-american-music/ACC48EA3AF4BDB427BBEA80D7ECC040A

08/04/2026

07/31/2026

Hi, I’m Eliza Andrews, a rising sophomore studying Constitutional Democracy and International Business, and I’ll be taking you through our last week in Oxford!

This week, we wrapped up our lectures on the Glorious Revolution and began preparing for our final tutorials. On Wednesday, my group presented our policy brief for our Policy Communication and Engagement course. On Thursday, we had our final tutorials with our professors and celebrated the end of our program with our last formal dinner.

Follow along to see our last field trip to Bath and ending festivities!

07/30/2026

07/28/2026

Earlier this month, we hosted the 2nd annual Missouri Civics Bee at The State Historical Society of Missouri. Seven middle school students from across the state competed for a the chance to represent Missouri at the National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C this fall.

Garry C. came home with first place and a $1,000 prize. Claire S. received second place and a $750 prize, and Alexander M. earned third place and a $250 prize.

Congratulations to all participants and thank you to SHSMO and Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry for partnering with us!

The Civic Trust

07/27/2026

Hi! I'm Jess Wheatley, a rising sophomore at Mizzou studying Constitutional Democracy and Political Science. I’m excited to show you all the exciting adventures we had during week three of the Kinder-RAI Oxford Summer School.

I'm taking a Glorious Revolution course and a Museums practicum. In the GR course, we had the pleasure to receive lectures from Dr. Sophie Aldred, Dr. Perry Gauci, and Dr. George Southcombe on the reign of King James II and its impact on what we now know today as the Glorious Revolution. We ended our week with a field trip to Blenheim Palace, where we not only saw the birthplace of Winston Churchill but were also able to situate some of the themes of monarchy and democracy we've been learning about in class in the context of real locations and people.

Outside of classes, we had a packed week. We had two formal dinners where we had the fortune to host donors to the program and affiliates from the University of Oxford, University of Missouri, University of Texas, and University of Florida. Thursday night, former Prime Minister John Major spoke, and Friday I had the pleasure of sitting by and speaking with Jean and Ed Becker, Adrian Steel, and Julia and Bill Thompson.

07/16/2026

Hey, everyone! It’s Abby Linton back with more updates on the Kinder-RAI Oxford Summer School!

My favorite part of my time at Oxford so far has been my museums practicum. This week the cohort had the opportunity to visit the Natural History Museum, the Pitt Rivers Museum, and the Ashmolean Museum. While in these spaces, we thought about how we show and tell stories about history through these galleries. We also observed the ways that visitors interact with the galleries.

As a huge museums nerd, this class has been the best way to experience all of the incredible museums in Oxford!