Institute for Democratic Engagement & Accountability (IDEA)

The Foundational Principle of IDEA

We are grounded in a fundamental principle: When citizens and elected officials participate in civil, representative, and focused dialogue, it fosters mutual respect, enhances decision-making, and builds greater faith in the democratic process.

  • 5 Countries Where DTHs Have Been Held
  • 95% Of participants say Deliberative Town Halls are "very valuable for democracy"
  • 11% Avg. Increase in Trust in Participating Elected Official

Recent News

Ryan Mahoney with Rep. Emilia

A summer inside a congressional office

Ryan Mahoney, pictured on the right with Rep. Emilia Sykes, spent his summer as an IDEA Summer Democracy Fellow in her Washington, D.C., office, where he worked alongside legislative staff and…

"IDEA fellowship coordinator Adam Duffy and Summer Democracy Fellows Maxwell Kiernan, Elise Britton and Ryan Mahoney walking to their next meeting in DC June 22."

A Day in Washington: IDEA's Summer Democracy Fellows Go Behind the Scenes

This summer, IDEA's inaugural Summer Democracy Fellows are working on Capitol Hill as interns with three Members of Ohio’s delegation, Reps. Sykes, Brown, and Landsman. The purpose of the…

Deliberative State Governance in Brussels

Deliberative State Governance in Brussels

How FIDE-NA and IDEA Are Helping U.S. States Adapt Europe's Playbook for Citizen Engagement

Last month, the Federation for Democratic Innovation–North America (FIDE-NA),…

File case with IDEA logo on it

IDEA Launches First Internal Advisory Board

OSU's investment in IDEA over the last four years has allowed the Institute to grow significantly, expanding our staff and our portfolio of projects. As IDEA prepares for continuing growth, it has…

People Directory

Professor of Communication, Professor of Political Science (by courtesy)
Associate Director
Andrei Baronov and Ratmir Timashev Endowed Chair in Data Analytics
Director of Research