Civic Health Project

10/07/2026

Are periods of political instability inevitable? Or can they be predicted and prevented?

The USC Center for the Political Future invites you to a conversation and book talk with Evan Barker, author of "Nothing Left: Confessions of a Democratic Operative." This discussion will be moderated by Ken Broad, a member of the USC Center for the Political Future Board of Councilors and a Founding Member of Jackson Square Partners.

This conversation will take place on Wednesday, October 7 from 4-5:30PM in SOS B46. It will explore Evan's career as a Democratic campaign strategist, during which she raised tens of millions of dollars for candidates across the party's establishment and progressive wings, and what led her to break with the party she once helped build. The first 15 attendees will receive a signed copy of the book. Free pizza will be provided.

About "Nothing Left: Confessions of a Democratic Operative": Drawing on her years inside Democratic campaign politics, Evan Barker argues that hyper-progressive donors, radicalized staff, and an activist base captured the party from within, pulling it away from the working-class voters it once represented.

Panelists Include:
- Evan Barker: Writer, Podcaster, and Former Democratic Campaign Strategist; Author, "Nothing Left: Confessions of a Democratic Operative"
- Ken Broad: Member, USC Center for the Political Future Board of Councilors; Founding Member, Jackson Square Partners

This event is held in partnership with the Heterodox Academy.

IN-PERSON REGISTRATION: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nothing-left-book-talk-with-evan-barker-tickets-2001406311153?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/03/2026

What if the same technology that pulls us apart could help bring us back together?

That question filled the room at Stanford's Trust & Safety Research Conference this week, and two of our own were on stage to take it on.

Julia Kamin and Kylan Rutherford of Civic Health Project represented the team at "AI as Intervention," a conversation about a growing frontier in trust and safety: using AI to shape what rises to the top of our feeds and conversations, not just what gets taken down.

Julia shared the Prosocial Ranking Challenge, a first-of-its-kind experiment testing redesigned social media feeds across three platforms. Over six months, more than 9,000 people used feeds built to reward bridging instead of outrage, and it made a real, measurable difference in how they felt about the other side.

Kylan shared the story of Normsy.ai, our AI + human tool that steps into heated online threads, not to win the argument but to show the silent majority scrolling by what respectful disagreement looks like and to demonstrate healthy norms.

Different tools, same belief: the internet doesn't have to be this way. Healthier conversation can be designed, and it can work at scale.

So proud of Julia and Kylan for representing our team, and grateful to the Stanford Tech Impact and Policy Center for bringing together a community that's building technology that connects rather than divides.

09/18/2026

Join the USC Center for the Political Future on September 18 from 10AM to 11AM on Zoom for a conversation about presidents, civility, and the state of American political discourse. How have presidents shaped the tone of our national dialogue? Can political leaders disagree without deepening division? What lessons can past presidencies offer for restoring respect and productive debate in public life? Join Frederick J. Ryan Jr., Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute and former Chief of Staff to President Ronald Reagan, and Bob Shrum, Director of the USC Center for the Political Future and veteran Democratic political strategist, for a bipartisan conversation about presidential leadership and the role of civility in American democracy.

Featuring:
- Fred Ryan: Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation's Center on Civility and Democracy, Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, Co-Founder of Politico, former Chief of Staff to President Ronald Reagan.
- Bob Shrum: Director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future; Carmen H. and Louis Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics; Author of “Concessions of a Serial Campaigner”

REGISTER HERE: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UGa-76dsQUiiV9nwaX9TYA #/registration

09/16/2026

Join the USC Center for the Political Future on Wednesday, September 16 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the USC Ronald Tutor Campus Center, The Forum (TCC 450) for a conversation about the state of American education. How did Mississippi surpass California in educational outcomes? Do charter schools and voucher programs undermine public instruction? Are teacher unions part of the problem or part of the solution to better education in America? Join top experts in this lively discussion about which reforms are working and which ones are not.

Panelists Include:
- Bob Shrum (Moderator): Director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future; Carmen H. and Louis Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics; Author of Concessions of a Serial Campaigner
- Amy McIntosh: Former Assistant Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration; Fall 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future
- Pedro Noguera: Dean, USC Rossier School of Education
- Marshall Tuck: CEO, EdVoice; Former CEO, Partnership for Los Angeles Schools; Former President, Green Dot Public Schools

We are immensely grateful to Sue and Jeff White for launching this nonpartisan dialogue series at USC.

IN PERSON REGISTRATION LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/education-reform-whats-working-and-whats-not-tickets-1998397973133?aff=oddtdtcreator

REGISTER FOR THE ZOOM WEBINAR: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JyaJha1URPiqHXLWcD1SEw

09/08/2026

Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy welcome the Fall 2026 CPF Fellows to USC for a virtual discussion of the current state of politics today. How's Trump doing? What about the Democrats? What do you need to know ahead of the 2026 Midterms?

Join us on Zoom on Tuesday, September 8 from 12PM to 1PM PT for an insightful discussion of the politics of today. The conversation will also explore the Fellows’ study groups and their wide-ranging careers in politics and public service.

CPF Fellows are prominent political professionals who are invited by CPF to lead study groups for USC students. They hold office hours, host lunchtime discussions, bring in guest speakers, and participate in high-profile events and conferences throughout the year. These resident Fellows expose students to a wide array of perspectives, broadening and challenging their understanding of government while strengthening civil dialogue on campus and within the community. We are proud to announce our full slate of Fall 2026 fellows:

- Mike Donilon: Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden
- Julianna Goldman: Former White House Correspondent, Bloomberg & CBS News
- Mike Madrid: Former Political Director, California Republican Party; Co-Founder, The Lincoln Project
- Amy McIntosh: Former Assistant Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration
- Claudine Schneider: Former U.S. Representative (R-Rhode Island)
- Jeffrey Toobin: Contributing Opinion Writer, The New York Times; Bestselling Author of The Nine and The Run of His Life (adapted into FX's The People v. O.J. Simpson)

We encourage USC students to apply to CPF Study Groups to develop friendships and mentorships with some of America's leading political voices.

REGISTER HERE: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BdDZscjCQBy-yWi7hqObbw

09/07/2026

Some conflict sharpens ideas, holds people accountable, and drives progress; some deepens division and tears things apart. AI is already shaping which kind we get more of. Who’s building the tools that decide whether conflict is constructive or destructive matters.

On Oct 6, Civic Health Project is teaming up with B Ventures Group for a Demo Day spotlighting early-stage founders building AI for peace and better conflict. Expect lightning round pitches and real conversations between builders and funders. Founders: come pitch your work. Investors: come meet what’s next.

RSVP here: https://partiful.com/e/3EzC7AYYVHoPuh1xaJQJ

​See the AI founders solving war & peace – live, in San Francisco. Meet VCs, family offices, and founders ready to invest, encourage, and collaborate. ✅ Early-stage founders ✅ VC meetings, live pitches, meet & greets ✅ A room full of people shaping the future of peace & national security N...

08/20/2026

Democracy doesn't require agreement - it requires the ability to disagree well. That's a civic skill, and right now, it's an endangered one - especially in our online spaces.

Polarity, a Evens Foundation program, is backing content creators who want to make online disagreement more constructive. Apply by Aug 28 → https://thisispolarity.com/

08/08/2026

We wanted to share a unique opportunity to take part in a national conversation.

What does the American Dream mean in America’s 250th year? Join a small-group conversation with people from across the country about opportunity, success, and what’s ahead, then see your voice reflected in a national report featured by Newsweek.

Register here → https://www.allsides.com/american-dream?utm_campaign=dialogue_americandreamroundtable_06-28-2026&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=CHP

07/14/2026

07/09/2026

As America marks its 250th anniversary, there's a new opportunity for communities to come together and imagine what's next.

Today, the National Issues Forums Institute officially launched "What's Next, America?"—a national initiative that helps communities turn meaningful conversations into nonpartisan civic action.

They're also investing $250,000 for the next 250 through a new Community Grant Fund to help local communities organize conversations and bring ideas to life.

Learn more, explore free resources, and sign up for grant updates at whatsnextamerica.com.