about Us
The Democracy Works podcast is produced by The McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State and WPSU Penn State, central Pennsylvania’s NPR station.
The McCourtney Institute draws from the humanities and social sciences to examine democracy from multiple angles. This cross-discipline collaboration is evident in our research, education, and outreach efforts.
We educate the next generation of democratic citizens through our Nevins Fellows program, monitor attitudes toward democracy with the Mood of the Nation poll, and host speakers and events that bring people from diverse backgrounds and points of view together to discuss the role of democracy in our society.
For more information, visit democracy.psu.edu.
podcast team

Michael Berkman, McCourtney Institute for Democracy Director

Christopher Beem, McCourtney Institute for Democracy Managing Director

Jenna Spinelle, McCourtney Institute Communications Specialist

Candis Watts Smith, Associate Professor of Political Science, Duke University