UC EVENTS

As democracies face multiple threats, from deepening polarisation and rising extremism to the spread of mis- and disinformation, the concept of democratic resilience has gained renewed urgency. Yet questions remain: What does democratic resilience truly entail? And how can it support broader efforts to renew democracy in the face of these challenges?This conference aims to deepen and expand the conversation around democratic resilience by bringing together an international community of scholars and practitioners. We invite contributions that explore innovative theoretical and empirical approaches as well as effective practical strategies for confronting the critical challenges facing democracies today. Topics of interest include--but are not limited to--declining trust in democratic institutions, the resurgence of far-right and anti-democratic actors, various forms of polarisation, violent extremism, and the role of political institutions, democratic innovations, civil society, social movements, and grassroots initiatives in advancing a more resilient democracy.We welcome theoretical, empirical, and practice-oriented papers that engage critically with the concepts of democratic resilience and democratic renewal, including how these are assessed and implemented across diverse contexts. Submissions should clearly identify the specific threat or challenge being addressed and demonstrate how the work contributes to current scholarship and debates on democratic resilience and/or innovation.Please submit an abstract of up to 200 words, along with a short author bio of up to 200 words by 8 August 2025 to Dr Emily Foley (emily.foley@canberra.edu.au).Successful applicants will be notified by 22 August 2025.