Frontiers of Democracy 2025: Listening and Leading
Frontiers of Democracy is an annual conference at Tufts University’s Tisch College of Civic Life that convenes practitioners, scholars, leaders, and community members from across the United States and the world.
This year’s special theme is “Listening and Leading.” We recognize that crises of democracy can be caused and fueled by division and polarization, and that listening and dialogue may be part of the solution. We thus anticipate rich discussions and constructive disagreements about how we navigate these frontiers of democracy. There will be sessions on other topics also related to Tisch College’s “North Star”: building robust, inclusive democracy for an increasingly multiracial society.
This year’s plenary speakers will include Deb Roy, Rhonda Fitzgerald, Rita Kiki Edozie, Jake Fay, Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, John Sarrouf, Freddy Mutanguha, Beth-Sarah Wright, and several more.
Also to look forward to on the agenda:
- 20 concurrent sessions including panels, workshops, and film screenings.
- 4 plenary panels.
- A plenary “hackathon” activity (which will inform a request for funding proposals!).
Please check the conference site for the full agenda, session descriptions, and list of speakers. This information will be updated as the conference develops.
Logistical Information
- Tickets to the Frontiers of Democracy conference will be available through June 15, at 11:59PM.
- We will honor your email request for a refund through June 15. After this date, we will be unable to refund any registrations. Please note that we only refund the cost of the ticket, not the Eventbrite fees.
- You are responsible for your lodging and transportation.
- 177 College Ave, Medford, MA can be used as a point of reference when looking for lodging. That building is on the MBTA Green Line (subway system), Medford/Tufts Station.
- ACCESSIBILITY: The building is equipped with accessible bathrooms and step-free entrances with buttons to open doors. If you have questions concerning access or wish to request a disability-related accommodation, please contact Samara Jones at samara.jones@tufts.edu two weeks before the event. Please visit this interactive map to locate our accessible parking spots and other campus accessibility information.
- Thursday, June 19 there will be an evening reception starting at 5PM.
- Friday, June 20, breakfast and lunch will be offered.
- Saturday, June 21, breakfast and lunch will be offered.
We look forward to seeing you there!
