Promoting scholarship, knowledge, and dialogue on American democracy
Rooney Reports
Rooney Reports present brief summaries of cutting-edge data on the state of American democracy intended for a broad audience. Most of the reports are based on the Notre Dame Health of Democracy Survey.
Keeping the Republic Conference
The Notre Dame Keeping the Republic Conference brings together a group of both prominent senior researchers and early-career scholars dedicated to a broad revitalization of American democracy—not just in the sense of self-government—but rather as a societal commitment to the equal dignity and inclusion of each person and social institutions that encourage broad and open participation.
Health of Democracy Survey
Since October 2022, the Rooney Democracy Institute has conducted nationally representative surveys to assess the health of democracy and citizen attitudes. This ongoing project monitors popular trends in democratic attitudes and supports research on the state of American democracy.
The Hesburgh Program in Public Service
A career-oriented minor in public policy
The Washington Program
Live, learn, and intern in Washington, D.C.
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Media Mentions
View more Media MentionsMidterms could mark start of a generational shift in Congress
October 08, 2026
“We seem to be reaching an inflection point,” says Jim Curry, a political science professor at the University of Notre Dame who co-authored a study on lawmaker age and representation in Congress.
Mentions
Political Science
What makes the Democratic Socialist Party attractive to college-educated voters?
September 29, 2026
A recent poll conducted shows a national shift in college-educated Democrat voters leaning more toward Democratic Socialism. Is that the case in Utah as well? Notre Dame political science professor Jim Curry joins ARC Salt Lake to discuss what makes people lean more left toward candidates that are embracing some parts of socialism.
Mentions
Political Science