Issue Areas Ash Center

At the Ash Center, we’re generating new ideas and insights for the future of civic engagement — everything from voter participation to democratic deliberation. Protest is the bedrock of democracy. But why do people take to the streets, and how do protestors achieve change? At the Ash Center, we’re working to answer these questions. Understanding the promises and perils that AI holds for the future of our democracy At the Ash Center, we’re working to generate new ideas to reform our democratic institutions for the 21st century.

The Electoral College is a peculiar, centuries-old system for choosing American presidential election winners, leaving many to question: Should we reform or abolish the practice? Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, formerly known as the Ash Institute, was established in 2003 and is part of the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United... The Center's mission is to advance public discussion and public policy research on key issues of democratic governance worldwide, as well as recognize and promote innovations in government that are improving the lives of... In April 2001, the Ford Foundation announced a $50 million endowment to the Harvard Kennedy School. This endowment was the largest single endowment ever made by the Ford Foundation at that time. Susan Berresford, then president of the Ford Foundation, explained that the endowment would enable much-needed recognition of numerous innovative government programs in the United States and worldwide.

The grant enabled Harvard Kennedy School to launch the Innovations in American Government Awards in 1985 which recognizes and supports state, local, tribal, and territorial government initiatives. Many past award winners have been replicated around the country including: In 2003, Harvard Kennedy School received a substantial gift from benefactors Roy and Lila Ash. Designed to enhance the Innovations in American Government Awards Program by emphasizing the connection between innovation and democratic governance, the gift created the Ash Center. Roy Ash's own experience in the public and private sector made him aptly positioned to set the vision for the new Ash Center. Ash served as a cabinet member in two U.S.

government administrations and is the founder of the modern Office of Management and Budget. An official website of the United States government Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Renovating democratic institutions for the 21st century

Working to understand and foster the conditions for sustained, self-determined social and economic development among American Indian nations. Understanding how nonviolent action can achieve democratic aims. Reimagining our political institutions to meet the democratic challenges of today. In a new working paper, Crocodile Tears: Can the Ethical-Moral Intelligence of AI Models Be Trusted?, Allen Lab authors Sarah Hubbard, David Kidd, and Andrei Stupu introduce an ethical-moral intelligence framework for evaluating AI... In a new working paper, Crocodile Tears: Can the Ethical-Moral Intelligence of AI Models Be Trusted?, Allen Lab authors Sarah Hubbard, David Kidd, and Andrei Stupu introduce an ethical-moral intelligence framework for evaluating AI... In this report, Matthew Cebul, Lead Research Fellow for the Nonviolent Action Lab, examines the effectiveness of nonviolent action movements in supporting democratic resilience globally.

Identifying challenges faced by nonviolent pro-democracy movements, Cebul offers key takeaways for combating accelerating democratic erosion in the US and abroad. In this op-ed, Liz McKenna examines the second ‘No Kings’ protest on October 18 and offers strategies for translating successful protest movements into influential policy change. She emphasizes the importance of sustained organizational efforts alongside protest activity to engage actors across partisan lines, building a broad coalition and a durable base for the movement. As organizers for No Kings 2 seek historic turnout on October 18, the broader pro-democracy movement has already broken new ground. In the season finale, author and political theorist Laura Field joins co-hosts Archon Fung and Stephen Richer to unpack the ideas and beliefs of the New Right and their impact on elections, race, and... In the season finale, author and political theorist Laura Field joins co-hosts Archon Fung and Stephen Richer to unpack the ideas and beliefs of the New Right and their impact on elections, race, and...

Co-hosts Archon Fung and Stephen Richer unpack the latest developments in the Epstein saga and explore what they reveal about shifting political alignments, growing demands for accountability, and the relationship between power and public... Co-hosts Archon Fung and Stephen Richer look back at the last five months of headlines as they celebrate the twentieth episode of Terms of Engagement. The national awards program Honoring Nations, flagship program of the Harvard Project, announces the recipients of the 2025 Honoring Nations Awards, recognizing 6 governmental initiatives for outstanding excellence in tribal self-governance. In the season finale, author and political theorist Laura Field joins co-hosts Archon Fung and Stephen Richer to unpack the ideas and beliefs of the New Right and their impact on elections, race, and... Co-hosts Archon Fung and Stephen Richer unpack the latest developments in the Epstein saga and explore what they reveal about shifting political alignments, growing demands for accountability, and the relationship between power and public... Co-hosts Archon Fung and Stephen Richer look back at the last five months of headlines as they celebrate the twentieth episode of Terms of Engagement.

Ash Center Seminar Room 225, Suite 200, 124 Mount Auburn Street 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST The mission of the Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation is to develop ideas and foster practices for equal and inclusive, multiracial and multiethnic democracy and self-government. The Ash Center believes that diverse perspectives are paramount to better understanding and addressing real-world problems. As a global community that brings together students, faculty, staff, and fellows, with practitioners and policymakers from around the world, we focus on advancing excellence in democracy and self-government. We are committed to fostering an environment of rigor, curiosity, and integrity. As a Center, we therefore value and respect different opinions, lived experiences, and diverse research and policy areas and approaches.

We continue to strive for excellence while creating an equitable and inclusive community for all. The Ash Center is proud to be part of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. Students and alumni of Harvard Kennedy School are showing their commitment to public service in their countries, states, cities, and tribal governments around the world.

Archon Fung, Winthrop Laflin McCormack Professor of Citizenship and Self-Government at Harvard Kennedy School, was appointed director of the Ash Center in July 2022. His research explores policies, practices, and institutional designs that deepen the quality of democratic governance with a focus on public participation, deliberation, and transparency. He has authored five books, four edited collections, and over fifty articles appearing in professional journals. He received two S.B.s — in philosophy and physics — and his Ph.D. in political science from MIT. Washington Center: The Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) is one of nice VAACs around the globe.

The Washington VAAC sits within the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) and is part of the Satellite Analysis Branch's (SAB) Volcanic Ash Program. A staff of 12-14 volcano analysts work rotating shifts to ensure 24/7 monitoring of activity across the US including Hawaii, the Caribbean, Central and northern South America (to 10S latitude) including the Galapagos Islands,... Within this region of responsibility, there are 20 Volcano Observatory (VO) groups and 23 Meteorological Watch Offices (MWO). This center and the Alaskan Center discussed below are designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) through Annex 3 to advise on airborne ash. Washington VAAC analysts utilize multiple satellites, webcams, receive information from MWOs, VOs, and use many other tools to help monitor volcanic activity. Volcanic Ash Advisories (VAA) and Volcanic Ash Graphics (VAG) are the official VAAC products used to alert of volcanic activity across the impacted areas and depict how the activity will evolve over a given...

This information proves valuable to core partners that include Domestic and International Airlines, Air Traffic Control and Operational groups (ARTCCs and ATCs), and many others. The Washington VAAC is the ofical backup to the Buenos Aires, Montreal, and Anchorage VAACs. Anchorage Center: Doubling as the Alaskan Aviation Weather Unit, the Anchorage Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) is responsible for detecting and tracking volcanic ash for more than fifty active volcanoes in Alaska. The VAAC also monitors volcanoes on the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia, watching for downstream impacts on the Anchorage Flight Information Region (FIR). The VAAC is tasked with domestic and international warning responsibilities which include issuing volcanic ash advisories and graphics. Meteorologists also monitor several inactive volcanoes for re-suspended volcanic ash threats.

These tasks help fulfill obligations under the International Airways Volcano Watch program. The VAAC forecasters also coordinate with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and international VAAC offices in Washington, D.C., Montreal, and Tokyo. US Dept of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Aviation , Comments? Questions? Please Contact Us.

People Also Search

• Issue Areas - Ash Center
• Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
• Current Volcanic Ash Advisories | OSPO
• Programs - Ash Center
• Research & Resources - Ash Center
• News & Analysis - Ash Center
• Homepage - Ash Center
• About - Ash Center
• Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers - National Weather Service
• Ash Center for Democratic Governance & Innovation - On Think Tanks