Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation

79 John F. Kennedy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

Making Democracy Interesting: Tips from TV, Podcasts, Science Fiction, and Online Creators

Jan 22 2026

Online Event

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST

Shouting ourselves hoarse about the dire consequences of democratic erosion has not, on its own, brought people back in. Many are disillusioned with democracy and unmoved by exhortations to defend it. How can we instead tell positive, compelling stories about democracy—stories that young people, in particular, can relate to? 

Join us for a conversation with accomplished storytellers from a wide array of mediums about how they bring democracy issues to their audiences in creative ways. 

Speakers include:

• Renee DiResta, associate research professor at Georgetown University and author of “Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality”  
• Matt Fitzgerald, founder of Fitz Partners and co-founder of #TeamWater, the largest creator-led philanthropy campaign of all time  
• Gideon Lichfield,  journalist, most recently editor-in-chief of WIRED, and a 2025-26 Democracy Renovation Fellow at the Allen Lab  
• Kim Stanley Robinson, author of “The Ministry for the Future”  and other science fiction novels 
• Dillon St. Bernard, social impact strategist and founder of Amplify Pledge, a network of creative changemakers 
• Baratunde Thurston,  author of “How to Be Black,” and host of the podcast “How to Citizen,” and the TV series “America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston” 
• Danielle Allen (Moderator), James Bryant Conant University Professor and Director of the Allen Lab 

Event page