An initiative of the Social Science Research Council ↗
2026 CUF CONFERENCE · DECEMBER 4, 2026
Schools of Democracy:
Higher Education and Social
Capital Formation
On Friday, December 4, 2026, the Social Science Research Council will convene institutional leaders from the College and University Fund for the Social Sciences, together with leaders of philanthropic organizations and other research partners. Our theme for this year’s conference will be “Schools of Democracy: Higher Education and Social Capital Formation.”
Are today’s colleges and universities schools of democracy? At a time when institutions are under increasing scrutiny and strain, this conference will examine how higher education can strengthen social networks, build shared values, and bolster civic trust.
Register
LOCATION
Westin Grand Central, New York, NYDATE
Friday, December 4, 2026CONTACT
Lisa Marshall, marshall@ssrc.orgFEATURED SPEAKERS
SCHEDULE
Conference program
8:00 – 9:30 am
Deans' Breakfast
Breakfast and conversation for deans overseeing the social and behavioral sciences, hosted at the SSRC offices (The Chanin Building, 122 East 42nd Street, 46th Floor, New York, NY 10168).
9:30 – 10:00 am
Coffee & Conference Check-In
A light breakfast and coffee served at the Westin Grand Central Madison Ballroom (212 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017).
10:00 – 10:15 am
Welcome Remarks
10:15 am – 12:30 pm
Session 1: Supporting Collective Action
Keynote addresses followed by a moderated conversation.
Robert Putnam
Peter and Isabel Malkin Professor of Public Policy, Emeritus, Harvard Kennedy School
Hahrie Han
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Professor in Political Science; Professor and Inaugural Director, SNF Agora Institute, Johns Hopkins University
Margaret Levi
Professor Emerita of Political Science and Senior Fellow, CDDRL, Freeman Spogli Institute, Stanford University; Visiting Professor, London School of Economics
Daniel L. Goroff moderator
President, SSRC
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Lunch Break
1:30 – 2:45 pm
Session 2: Supporting Civic Participation
Tom Ginsburg
Leo Spitz Distinguished Service Professor of International Law and Professor of Political Science, University of Chicago School of Law
Debra Satz
Vernon R. and Lysbeth Warren Anderson Dean, School of Humanities and Sciences, and Marta Sutton Weeks Professor of Ethics in Society, Stanford University
Jonathan Holloway moderator
President, Henry Luce Foundation
2:45 – 3:00 pm
Coffee Break
3:00 – 4:30 pm
Session 3: Supporting Societal Studies
danah boyd
Geri Gay Professor of Communication, Cornell University
Kaye Husbands Fealing
Professor, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology; former Assistant Director, SBE Directorate, National Science Foundation
Sam Gill moderator
President, Doris Duke Foundation
4:30 – 5:00 pm
Closing Remarks
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Reception
Questions about the conference?
Registration is open to attendees from member institutions. For more information, contact Lisa Marshall, SSRC Chief of Staff.
Past conferences
The College and University Fund for the Social Sciences is a consortium of higher education institutions strengthening the funding and research infrastructure for social science worldwide.
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An initiative of the Social Science Research Council
The Chanin Building · 122 East 42nd Street, 46th Floor · New York, NY 10168
The Chanin Building · 122 East 42nd Street, 46th Floor · New York, NY 10168