Stanford
Democracy Hub

Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences

Humanities and Sciences

Advancing the human condition through interdisciplinary research in the humanities and sciences that deepens understanding, drives innovation, and shapes a more informed and just world.

Research

  • Public Policy Program

    Public Policy is an interdisciplinary program applying tools from economics, political science, philosophy, psychology, and law to real-world policy. The program is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and respectful community.

  • Tech Ethics and Policy Summer Fellowships

    The Tech Ethics & Policy Fellows Program offers undergraduates a course and paid summer placement exploring the intersection of technology, ethics, and policy. Fellows also receive mentorship from leaders across tech, government, and civil society.

  • Stanford Summer Research College (Political Science)

    Summer Research College offers students a 10-week, on-campus research experience with Stanford faculty, a $8,000 stipend, and optional training seminars. Students gain hands-on research skills through close mentorship and collaborative projects.

  • Stanford in Washington

    Stanford in Washington offers juniors and seniors a full-time internship, academic coursework, and cultural immersion in D.C. Students live, study, and engage with national institutions in the heart of the capital.

  • Rowland and Rebele Journalism Internship Program

    The Rebele Internship Program has given hundreds of Stanford students a unique opportunity to gain journalistic work experience by providing stipends for internships with qualifying news organizations.

  • Public Policy Summer Internship Fellowship

    Supports students in developing their civic identity through hands-on exploration of civic skills, knowledge, values, and practices that prepare them for informed and engaged public life.

  • McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society Fellowship

    Ethics in Society PhD Fellowships foster interdisciplinary dialogue on the ethical dimensions of research. Fellows join a year-long workshop to present work and examine ethics in scholarship and civic life. Open to PhD students in all fields.

  • JSK Journalism Fellowship

    Based at Stanford University, the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships empowers diverse journalism leaders to succeed as effective change agents, sustain Democratic communities and defend press freedom around the world.

  • Politics and Social Change Lab

    Rising political polarization and declining civility in political engagement are critical problems of our time in part because they stand as barriers to addressing all other social problems.

  • Inclusive Democracy and Development Lab

    Seeks to identify how and when the voices of marginalized peoples are represented in political institutions in low/middle-income countries, what policies best ensure this representation, and how political inclusion impacts broader patterns of development.

  • Global Innovation for Impact Lab

    The Global Innovation for Impact Lab develops insights that help organizations make better strategic and operational decisions about innovation, scaling, and system change. We frame system change as a complex innovation process.

  • Empowering Diverse Digital Citizens Lab

    This research project aims to promote digital inclusion and empower diverse communities by conducting research, designing interventions, and building partnerships to address digital inequalities and foster digital citizenship.

  • Civic Life of Cities Lab

    Through research on nonprofits and the communities they serve, the Civic Life of Cities Lab brings together scholars from around the world to understand the organizational building blocks of a vibrant civil society.

  • Basic Income Lab (BIL)

    The Stanford Basic Income Lab (BIL) aims to promote an informed public conversation on Universal Basic Income (UBI) and its potential in alleviating poverty, precariousness and inequality.

  • Political Psychology Research Group

    The PPRG strives to be a network of scholars in the Stanford community and to build new connections with other scholars in the field and anyone concerned with the application of scientific knowledge on political psychology.

  • Politeia

    Politeia is Stanford’s political theory community for graduate students and postdocs. Sponsored by the Ethics Center, it fosters interdisciplinary exchange, informal workshopping, and conversation around political texts and ideas.

  • Court Listening Project

    The Court Listening Project (CLiP) seeks to understand the role of courts in their communities.
  • McCoy Center

    McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society

    The McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society is committed to bringing ethical reflection to bear on important social problems through research, teaching, and community engagement.
  • Center for Human Rights and International Justice

    Center for Human Rights and International Justice

    The Center for Human Rights and International Justice is committed to investigating global human rights violations. They offer programs dedicated to advancing human rights, including civil society outreach efforts and trial monitoring.