The Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Participation was established at The University of Texas at Austin in 2000 to respond to growing political cynicism and disaffection in the United States. The goals of the institute are (1) to conduct cutting-edge research on the ways in which civic participation and community understanding are undermined or sustained and (2) to develop new programs for increasing democratic understanding among citizens.
Research
Office of Survey Research
Provides customized survey research tailored to meet client resources and needs.
Patricia Witherspoon Award
An award for UT graduate students to offset the costs associated with conducting original research.
Campaign Mapping Project
A multi-year attempt to assemble campaign materials produced during presidential elections between 1948 and 2008 as a guide to understanding the direction of American politics.
Engagement
Political Communication Training
Training program on Advocacy, Grassroots and Campaign Communication.
New Politics Forum
Non-partisan campaign training that brings students into contact with political professionals, the press, and researchers.
College Poll Worker Program
Effort to recruit college students to work as Poll Worker and assistants in Austin/Travis County.
Theodore H. Strauss Civic Internship Award
An award to supplement paid or unpaid undergraduate internships.
UT Votes
UT student organization to increase voter participation.
Education
American Trustees
A collection of short films and lesson plans to inspire a new generation of citizens.
Tex Elects
A high school competition where
students design creative messages to get
out the vote.
Speak Up! Speak Out!
A project-based curriculum that asks high school students to identify, research and present the most pressing issues in their community.
