Polis: Center for Politics

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Polis: Center for Politics Polis seeks to inspire and empower students to engage in political life in all its forms and improve democratic processes in the U.S. and around the world.

Polis (pä-ləs) seeks to engage the Duke community in meeting a great challenge of our time: restoring the health of our politics. Gridlock in Washington, hyper-partisanship, vitriolic discourse, the pervasive influence of money and other pathologies of contemporary politics have bred widespread cynicism about politics, politicians and public servants. Duke students are idealists, but it is not surprising that many are deeply disenchanted with politics and increasingly look outside of government for solutions to society’s problems. Social enterprises, non-profit organizations, private philanthropy and other non-governmental institutions can create great value for society, but a healthy democracy is the foundation on which the very nature of this is society built. A strong democracy requires informed and inspired young people engaged in political life, as active citizens, advocates, policy experts, organizers, journalists, teachers, and political candidates. We want students to look beyond cynicism and dysfunction and once again view politics and public service as a viable and desirable path for improving the lives of their fellow citizens.

What can the Declaration of Independence teach us about civic education, public service, and the meaning of America’s fo...
10/14/2026

What can the Declaration of Independence teach us about civic education, public service, and the meaning of America’s founding principles?

Join Polis for a visit to the Nasher Museum of Art with Sanford Dean JR DeShazo to view early copies of the Declaration and discuss the significance of these founding documents.

📅 November 10
📍 Nasher Museum of Art

Please note: Registration does not guarantee attendance. Selected attendees will receive an email confirmation with additional details and the confirmed event time.

Learn more and submit your interest form: https://polis.duke.edu/event/the-declaration-of-independence-with-sanford-dean-jr-deshazo/

What’s a Libertarian, and Might You Be One?Join Duke Professor and New York Times columnist Frank Bruni for a conversati...
10/07/2026

What’s a Libertarian, and Might You Be One?

Join Duke Professor and New York Times columnist Frank Bruni for a conversation with Katherine Mangu-Ward, editor-in-chief of Reason magazine, as part of Bruni’s “Independent Thinkers” series.

The conversation will explore political labels, libertarianism, and whether stepping outside the traditional two-party framework offers a way beyond partisan division.

📅 October 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM
📍 Penn Pavilion

Register & learn more: https://provost.duke.edu/independent-thinkers-conversation-katherine-mangu-ward/

The event is part of the Provost’s Initiative on Pluralism, Free Inquiry and Belonging and is co-sponsored by the Sanford School of Public Policy, DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy, and POLIS: Center for Politics.

Join us for “Democrats, the Midterms and the Meaning of Patriotism: A Conversation with Rep. Jake Auchincloss,” hosted b...
09/28/2026

Join us for “Democrats, the Midterms and the Meaning of Patriotism: A Conversation with Rep. Jake Auchincloss,” hosted by Duke professor and New York Times columnist Frank Bruni.

📅 October 5, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Bryan Center Reynolds Theater

🎟️ Tickets: https://tickets.duke.edu/

09/28/2026
The annual Public Purpose Symposium is THIS WEEK!🎤 Keynote: Maria Balinska at 5:30 PM in Sanford 04. No registration req...
09/14/2026

The annual Public Purpose Symposium is THIS WEEK!
🎤 Keynote: Maria Balinska at 5:30 PM in Sanford 04. No registration required!

Learn more: https://duke.is/publicpurpose26

09/10/2026

Join the Duke Sanford School of Public Policy, Polis: Center for Politics and Duke Program in American Grand Strategy on Sept. 23 for a conversation with Former Senator Mitt Romney on the future of American democracy.

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee will reflect on the health of American democracy, the values that have sustained the nation, and the responsibilities citizens and leaders share in shaping its future.

🗓️ Sept. 23, 5:15 p.m., Duke's Page Auditorium
🎟️ Register for tickets: https://tickets.duke.edu

08/22/2026

On Thursday, August 27, AGS is proud to invite you to a conversation with Egan Visiting Professor Rick Atkinson, “What does the Revolutionary War Mean for Us Today?”
4:00 P.M. Nelson Music Room, East Duke Building
This event is free and open to the public; however, registration is required. Register here: https://cglink.me/2do/r2281379
AGS is excited to work with, POLIS: Center for Politics, We the People, a Duke and Durham Initiative, and the Provost’s Initiative on Pluralism, Free Inquiry and Belonging to bring you this event.

We're excited to welcome JR DeShazo as he begins his role as the Joel L. Fleishman Dean of the Sanford School of Public ...
07/01/2026

We're excited to welcome JR DeShazo as he begins his role as the Joel L. Fleishman Dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy today!

We look forward to partnering with Dean DeShazo to prepare students for lives of leadership, civic engagement and public service.

On January 9, the Sanford School of Public Policy Executive Master of Public Affairs program and Polis: Center for Polit...
01/27/2026

On January 9, the Sanford School of Public Policy Executive Master of Public Affairs program and Polis: Center for Politics’ Civil Discourse Project at the Sanford School of Public Policy hosted the first Bridging the Divide lecture of 2026, featuring former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrators Michael Regan and Andrew Wheeler. Wheeler, now Holland & Hart partner and Head of Federal Affairs. The event was moderated by Duke Vice President and Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability Toddi Steelman, the discussion centered on environmental protection in the context of a 250-year arc of American history; achievements during their respective tenures in the Trump and Biden administrations; and how they steered the agency through criticism and disagreement to advance the core mission of the EPA.

NEW LOCATION!!!Join us on Wednesday, November 19 in Sanford 04 for a lively conversation among our Distinguished Fellows...
11/18/2025

NEW LOCATION!!!

Join us on Wednesday, November 19 in Sanford 04 for a lively conversation among our Distinguished Fellows as they discuss the joys and challenges of working for the government. Each fellow brings a unique perspective from his time in Washington - Former US Assistant Secretary of State John Hillen served in the Bush administration on Political-Military Affairs; Michael Regan served as the 16th Administrator for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Danny Werfel was the 50th Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

This discussion will be moderated by Jenni Owen, Professor of the Practice at the Sanford School of Public Policy. Register below!
https://tr.ee/OabgbfoY5X

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201 Science Drive
Durham, NC
27708

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