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Articles by Erin Tor
Who Decides What Belongs in Public Space?
For generations, Confederate monuments occupied prominent public spaces across Virginia. They stood in parks, along avenues, outside courthouses, and on the grounds of the state Capitol. Then, beginning in 2020, that changed. Many monuments came down across the Commonwealth, including along Richmond's Monument Avenue and in downtown Charlottesville. Some were removed through formal government processes; others were removed amid protests and direct action.
Civic Cornerstone Fellowship Expands Nationally, Receives Endowment from UVA Parents Program
Just two years after its launch, the Karsh Institute’s Civic Cornerstone Fellowship (CCF) is rapidly expanding in both reach and impact. Designed to equip students with the skills and dispositions needed for thoughtful, constructive engagement across difference, the Fellowship has already reached more than 1,000 students at the University of Virginia. Now, with increasing national interest and a major investment from the UVA Parents Program, the initiative is entering a new phase of development.
Marking 250 Years of the American Experiment
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the Karsh Institute of Democracy is leading a wide-ranging effort to reflect on the nation’s democratic experiment—its ideals, its contradictions, and its future. Through research, public events, and storytelling initiatives, the Institute is convening scholars, students, practitioners, and communities to connect the principles that shaped the nation’s founding with the challenges of today.
The Karsh Institute’s 2025 Reading List
Throughout 2025, the Karsh Institute convened authors of notable new books—leaders across policy, history, law, and journalism—for conversations that examined the forces shaping democracy today. Their work expands our understanding of civic life, strengthens our grasp of institutional resilience, and illuminates the stories and ideas that bind communities together.
Investing in Democracy: Funders Turn to the Karsh Institute for Real-World Solutions
A growing number of national funders and granting organizations are turning to the Karsh Institute of Democracy as a trusted partner in strengthening the foundations of civic life. From supporting research on voter behavior and attitudes and the health of local news ecosystems to expanding programs that help students engage across differences, these investments reflect a belief that the Institute is well positioned to lead cross-sector efforts to address democracy’s most pressing challenges.
Democracy360: Imagining the Next 250 Years of American Democracy
The Karsh Institute’s Democracy360 arrives at a pivotal moment as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—a chance to reflect on our founding ideals and imagine what the next 250 years could hold.
Inside the Karsh Institute’s Innovative Student Fellowship Bringing Curiosity, Empathy and Intellectual Humility to Grounds
This fall, UVA students will be doing something increasingly rare: engaging thoughtfully and with curiosity across political and personal divides. These students are part of the Civic Cornerstone Fellowship, a signature program of the Karsh Institute of Democracy developed by Program Director Stefanie Georgakis Abbott and School of Education and Human Development Professor Rachel Wahl.
This UVA Program Teaches Students How To Better Disagree
The Karsh Institute of Democracy is expanding its Student Dialogue Fellowship, seeking to increase the ways students with differing ideas and political leanings can meaningfully engage with each other. Based on the institute’s focus on democratic culture, the fellowship reinforces communication skills, mindfulness practices and a deeper understanding of the American political landscape.
Making the Case for Democracy
Polling data from the 2024 U.S. presidential election revealed that a significant majority of voters from both major political parties perceive American democracy as being under threat. This widespread concern highlights a bipartisan unease about the health and stability of the nation’s democratic institutions.
Q&A: Process Matters as Democrats Pick New Candidate
Business & Government By Erin Tor, erin.tor@virginia.edu Erin Tor, erin.tor@virginia.edu Since his wobbly debate performance in late June, President Joe Biden faced calls from fellow Democrats to leave the presidential race. In a sudden and historic announcement Sunday, he did just that, choosing to “stand down” and endorse his vice president, Kamala Harris. What should we make of these unprecedented times?
The Karsh Institute Announces Winners of Inaugural Student Photography Contest — Karsh Institute of Democracy
Graduate and undergraduate students from across UVA responded to the Karsh Institute of Democracy’s first Student Photography Contest, each submitting a series of images answering the question: What does democracy look like to you? The winning submission came from third-year media studies student Tony Davis, whose collection of ten photos showcases democratic participation, culture, and institutions at work.
In 2024 Global Elections, Democracy Is on the Ballot
Business & Government In 2024 Global Elections, Democracy Is on the Ballot By Erin Tor, erin.tor@virginia.edu Erin Tor, erin.tor@virginia.edu We are not alone. Nearly half the world’s population will vote in major elections this year, casting ballots in at least 70 countries for every level of government, from localities to national parliaments and presidential offices. But not all elections are created equal, or fair.
News in Brief: Karsh Institute To Host Democracy Event in October
The University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy will host a series of events in Charlottesville from Oct. 19-21, bringing together journalists, policymakers, scholars, students and others to explore the biggest challenges facing democracy today. The event, “Democracy360,” will feature several panels, discussions and programs at UVA and throughout Charlottesville. Illinois U.S. Rep.
Karsh Institute Taps Media Pioneer Evan Smith as Inaugural Practitioner Fellow
The University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy has chosen journalist and entrepreneur Evan Smith as its inaugural Practitioner Fellow. Smith will serve one year as the institute’s first Distinguished Fellow in Journalism, curating and participating in programs to highlight challenges facing local media and solutions to connecting Americans with informative, independent journalism. Smith’s fellowship, sponsored in partnership with Virginia Humanities, began today.
Sesame Workshop President Is 2022 Jefferson Medalist in Citizen Leadership
Sherrie Rollins Westin, president of Sesame Workshop and a 1980 graduate of the University of Virginia, has been named this year’s recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership. The medal honors individuals whose work exemplifies Thomas Jefferson’s commitment to the duty and virtue of public service, and is the University’s highest external honor. Westin’s leadership has extended to media, government and the nonprofit sector.
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