research overview
- My research turns on a central argument: citizens should be more actively involved in democratic life. I develop and explore this claim through three related lines of inquiry: the political philosophy of John Dewey, the study of contemporary civic practices and the public mission of higher education. Taken as a whole, my research agenda aims to develop a normative ideal of active citizenship and investigate the practices, methods and conditions for its realization. I put theoretical considerations of “what is a good citizen” into conversation with empirical research on ordinary actors’ lived experiences of citizenship. I contend that a combined theoretical and empirical approach offers a more nuanced and grounded understanding of the terrain of citizenship and civic involvement.