The Eagleton Institute of Politics is proud to launch its Café Democracy series as part of its 70th anniversary and the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Inspired by Revolution NJ’s Tavern Talks and the Rutgers Democracy Lab’s Talking Across Difference initiative, Café Democracy channels the spirit of early American tavern camaraderie and modern-day coffee shops. Bringing people together, the events provide a space to share ideas under a theme of discussion to consider how we can strengthen our democracy.
How it works: Participants are broken up into small groups. Each group will have a question relevant to the theme of discussion. The groups will discuss the question with one person volunteering to be the anchor who will take notes and stay at the same location. After 15 minutes of discussion, groups will move to a different question in the room, but the anchor will remain and help brief the next group on some key points from the previous discussion. At the end of the program, each group will share reflections from their experiences and anchors will provide an overview of themes throughout the different group discussions.
Stay tuned here and on our Events page for upcoming Café Democracy events!
This event is made possible thanks to the support of the Rutgers Democracy Lab.
Upcoming Café Democracy Events
April 9, 2026 | 4:30PM – 6:00PM
Facilitated by Dr. Nicholas Longo, Director of the Rutgers Democracy Lab
Location: Eagleton Institute of Politics
Theme of discussion: Immigration
Register Here
Sessions are hosted monthly and open to the public. Each session will cover a different topic of discussion.
May 7, 2026 | 4:30PM – 6:00PM
Facilitated by Kelly Dittmar, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science, Rutgers-Camden; Director of Research, Center for American Women and Politics
Location: Eagleton Institute of Politics
Theme of discussion: Civic Responsibility and Participation
Register Here
Sessions are hosted monthly and open to the public. Each session will cover a different topic of discussion.
June 11, 2026 | 5:00PM – 6:30PM
Facilitator: Briana Huett, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the School of Public Affairs and Administration
Location: New Brunswick Public Library
Theme of discussion: TBA
Register Here
Sessions are hosted monthly and open to the public. Each session will cover a different topic of discussion.
July 2, 2026 | 4:30PM – 6:00PM
Facilitator TBA
Location: TBA
Theme of discussion: TBA
Register Here
Sessions are hosted monthly and open to the public. Each session will cover a different topic of discussion.
August 6, 2026 | 4:30PM – 6:00PM
Facilitator TBA
Location: TBA
Theme of discussion: TBA
Register Here
Sessions are hosted monthly and open to the public. Each session will cover a different topic of discussion.
September 3, 2026 | 4:30PM – 6:00PM
Facilitator TBA
Location: TBA
Theme of discussion: TBA
Register Here
Sessions are hosted monthly and open to the public. Each session will cover a different topic of discussion.
October 1, 2026 | 4:30PM – 6:00PM
Facilitator TBA
Location: TBA
Theme of discussion: TBA
Register Here
Sessions are hosted monthly and open to the public. Each session will cover a different topic of discussion.
November 5, 2026 | 4:30PM – 6:00PM
Facilitator TBA
Location: TBA
Theme of discussion: TBA
Register Here
Sessions are hosted monthly and open to the public. Each session will cover a different topic of discussion.
December 3, 2026 | 4:30PM – 6:00PM
Facilitator TBA
Location: TBA
Theme of discussion: TBA
Register Here
Sessions are hosted monthly and open to the public. Each session will cover a different topic of discussion.