Reimagining Civic Engagement: Georgetown CCT Students Share New Findings at MPSA 2024

This past weekend, first-year Communication, Culture & Technology students Nadya Hayasi (G’26) and Katherine Weiss (G’26) presented their paper “Reimagining Civic Engagement: New Dimensions in a Digital Age” at the 82nd Annual MPSA – Midwest Political Science Association Conference in Chicago, IL.

The paper was first conceived in Dr. Diana Owen‘s Fall 2024 course, Media & American Elections, where Nadya and Kat used survey data sponsored by the Civic Education Research Lab to examine how individuals from different demographic and identity groups defined civic engagement during the 2024 election cycle.
Drawing on data from nearly 1,900 eligible voters, their study investigated whether digital activities like reposting political content, donating online, or organizing virtual events are seen as legitimate forms of civic engagement. The findings provide insights into how different demographic groups define and approach civic engagement, and how these definitions may shift due to ongoing changes in political discourse and technology. The study was designed by the Media and American Elections graduate seminar and sponsored by the Civic Education Research Lab.

As technology continues to evolve, so must our understanding of what it means to be an engaged citizen. This research opens the door to broader, more inclusive definitions of civic life in a digital democracy.

Their findings provide important insights into how different demographic groups define and approach civic engagement, and how these definitions may shift due to ongoing changes in political discourse and technology, highlighting the value of increasing opportunities for digital political participation.