About the Year
“If ever there was a moment to think and reflect together about democracy—the idea, as well as the governmental, organizational, philosophical and ethical concept—it is now. Democracies, and democratic ways of thinking, have revealed themselves to be as fragile as they are robust, a fact that is true well beyond the United States. Smith College’s Year on Democracies (intentionally plural) offers possibilities for global, historical, comparative and creative views on the topic, and lets us be as expansive as possible in how we consider it.”—Alexandra Keller, co-chair of the Year on Democracies
President Kathleen McCartney has designated $100,000 in presidential discretionary funds to support Year on Democracies projects proposed by students, staff and faculty. The grants will be awarded competitively, with students, staff and faculty eligible to apply as individuals or teams.
Proposals for funding must be submitted via the form below. They will be reviewed by the Year on Democracies planning group and members of the President’s Cabinet. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are expended.
Particular consideration and encouragement will be given to projects that:
- Demonstrate innovative approaches to teaching, research and activism related to democracies
- Take a team approach, engaging students, staff and faculty in a collaborative project
- Contemplate the intersecting issues of inclusion, diversity, equity and democracies
- Have the potential to succeed in both in-person and virtual contexts
Floyd Cheung
Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
R. Jordan Crouser
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Laurie Fenlason
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
Alexandra Keller
Professor of Film & Media Studies
Director of the Kahn Institute
Daniel Kramer
Professor of Theatre
Dana Leibsohn
Alice Pratt Brown Professor of Art
Erin Pineda
Assistant Professor of Government
Michael Thurston
Provost and Dean of the Faculty
Lester Tomé
Associate Professor of Dance