Each year, UT faculty or students may nominate student research that strengthens democracy for this award. As an opportunity to highlight exciting new knowledge or ideas, this award seeks to recognize outstanding thinking that helps our democracy thrive.
Now accepting applications!
The Patman Center Research Award for Advancing Democracy seeks to recognize outstanding thinking that helps our democracy thrive. Through academic scholarship and innovation, we hope to uplift research that demonstrates exceptional insight and dedication to advancing the cause of democracy.
Students may submit their research to win a $1,000 award celebrating their contributions to strengthening democracy.
Examples of topics that could be awarded, but are not limited to are: civic participation, public engagement, misinformation/disinformation, campaign finance reform, civility in public discourse, elections, voting, redistricting, political theory and other research focused on helping us understand our democracy and imagine ways to improve it.
Individuals and group collaborations are welcome to apply. UT students at all levels (undergraduate and graduate) are invited and can be from any department at the University.
This award seeks to highlight new knowledge or ideas that reinforce democracy. Applications must include:
- A list of all research contributors with email addresses, units/departments, and UT EIDs
- Short (one paragraph) biographies for each research contributor, including expected year of graduation.
- An abstract, or one or two paragraph overview, of the research
- The research report
- Any supplemental resources that the research has generated including one-pagers, memos or presentations.
Award recipients will be invited to attend a Patman Center Leadership Symposium in October or November 2024 to receive a certificate honoring their contributions and will be invited to offer a few words about their research to attendees. Awardees will also be highlighted in a Patman Center email newsletter and on the Patman Center’s website.
Applications are due Monday, April 29, 2024.
All materials should be emailed to LBJPatmanCenter@austin.utexas.edu.
Announcements of winners will be made by the end of May 2024.