The Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability (IDEA) at The Ohio State University is proud to introduce a new series celebrating the people who shape its mission and bring its work to life. This Employee Spotlight series will highlight the individuals whose diverse backgrounds, leadership, and expertise drive IDEA’s commitment to strengthening democracy through public engagement and rigorous research.

We begin with Amy Lee, Associate Director of IDEA, whose career path reflects both the interdisciplinary spirit and civic mission of the institute.

“I'm the Associate Director of IDEA, and it's the absolutely best job I've ever had. My path to IDEA was an odd one—through restaurants and into journalism and public media and from there to deliberative democracy—but I like to think that me, and others, frankly, at IDEA, having these slightly unusual experiences and skillsets is part of what makes IDEA unique as a democracy lab.”

Lee joined IDEA after working for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation as a program officer, where she first encountered the research of Michael Neblo and his team. She was drawn to IDEA’s evidence-based, policy-relevant work in democratic innovation.

“I was working for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation as a program officer, and I saw how Michael Neblo and his research team were doing the kind of rigorous science that's really rare in the deliberative democracy space. I wanted to bring my program management and communications skills to help expand IDEA’s work, and that’s why I joined IDEA.”

A core part of Lee’s work centers on the design and implementation of democratic innovations that create space for broader and more meaningful participation.

“Deliberative Town Halls, Citizens Assemblies, all the democratic innovations IDEA works on, are about problem-solving, and about engaging not only the loudest voices and deepest pockets.”

For Lee, this mission is personal, especially when it results in genuine change in how public officials think about engagement.

“Some of the most fulfilling moments for me have been seeing the lightbulbs click on when elected officials or their staff really see how deliberative engagement is different and how it can help them solve problems. Believe it or not, the majority of people who go into government and politics really do so because they believe in serving the public, but they get caught up in this pressure cooker of perverse incentives. Getting their attention and showing how we can support them gives them the chance to be their best selves and engage with citizens who are doing the same. How often does that happen in regular politics these days?”

Her experience prior to IDEA included digital innovation as well. While at Kettering, she collaborated with a serious games company to help develop Common Ground for Action, a platform designed to make public deliberation more accessible.

“When I was previously at the Kettering Foundation, I was able to work with a serious games company to develop an online platform for deliberative conversations called Common Ground for Action. I knew the most important thing to make people want to try it was to make it fun and engaging, a game rather than an exercise.”

What stands out to Lee about IDEA’s culture is the unique balance between scientific rigor and real-world application.

“At IDEA, we use really rigorous science to try to make real-world impact. We’re not ideology-driven. We’re not ivory tower. We're finding out facts on the ground, and sometimes that even leads us to discover something deeper.”

Outside of work, Lee brings that same creative and hands-on spirit to her hobbies.

“Outside of work, I'm a passionate community gardener, but I will say my method is a lot like work—very experimental! I also really enjoy cooking—I worked in restaurants all the way through high school and college. So cooking and gardening—basically if it's both messy and satisfying, I enjoy it. A lot like democracy!”

And if her job had a soundtrack?

“I wish it could say it was the Succession theme, but probably something more Midwestern. Probably The Breeders.”

As IDEA continues to grow, leaders like Amy Lee are at the heart of its work—connecting evidence to action, innovation to community, and public trust to democratic possibility.

Want to explore more of  Amy Lee’s insights, work, and leadership journey?
Visit her profile: Amy Lee on LinkedIn