Research and Engagement undertakes field-building and turns cross-disciplinary solutions into action by issuing reports, hosting public events and high-level discussions, and building partnerships that drive change.
Columbia World Projects’ Research and Engagement team mobilizes scholars, practitioners, and policymakers from business, civil society, government, and academia to confront challenges that no single entity could successfully address. These networks overcome disciplinary divisions within Columbia and create bridges between the university and the worlds of practice and policy. This allows for the exchange of novel ideas and serves to build consensus around key issues, amplify the impact of related work, and develop pathways to policy uptake and thoughtful implementation.
The team currently works on two topic areas of global consequence: the renewal of fraying democratic systems and opportunities to advance urban inclusion.
Democratic Renewal
Our work on democratic renewal explores what sustains and ails liberal democracies around the world and how to revitalize decaying democratic institutions. By developing a comparative understanding of the trends and factors that bolster the institutions that undergird democracies, our work encourages effective problem-solving and civic participation.
Inclusive Urbanism
This area of work focuses on the conditions under which urban communities achieve social, economic, climate, and political justice. Our work encourages effective problem-solving, participatory approaches, and innovative thinking among experts by engaging in a comparative understanding of the ecological, social, and political forces that shape urban space.
