The Annette Strauss Institute
The Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Participation was established at The University of Texas at Austin in 2000 to respond to growing political cynicism and disaffection in the United States. Studies that show deep pockets of unhappiness in the United States also indicate equally strong pockets of civic hope. Our challenge is to blend one of the oldest human instincts - the need for community - with new ways of helping people help one another. The Institute is named after Annette Greenfield Strauss, an extraordinary woman whose accomplishments and commitments were legion. Mrs. Strauss served on the Dallas City Council from 1983 through 1987 and then as mayor from 1987 to 1991.
Mission
The Institute's mission is strictly non-partisan. It works within communities to engage people in the political process, teach them about the nation's democratic heritage, and encourage them to take leadership roles. The goals of the institute are (1) to conduct cutting-edge research on the ways in which civic participation and community understanding are undermined or sustained, and (2) to develop new programs for increasing democratic understanding among citizens.
Achievements
Speak Up! Speak Out! (www.speakupspeakout.org) is a co-curricular initiative of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Participation to promote the discussion of community issues of tangible importance by students seldom involved in such civic dialogues.
The New Politics Forum (www.newpoliticsforum.org) is a campaign training program that shares political knowledge with young people on a strictly non-partisan basis, bringing students into contact with experienced political professionals, members of the working press, and university researchers so that they get a well-rounded and practical education.
The Campaign Mapping Project is a multi-year research effort, assembling campaign materials produced during presidential elections between 1948 and 2000, as a guide to understanding the direction of American politics.
American Trustees is an educational project that collects profiles of extraordinary citizens from all walks of life who have made a significant contribution to civic society. Using the medium of film, we hope to inspire a new generation of citizens.
The Center for Deliberative Opinion Research at The Annette Strauss Institute conducts deliberative survey research for academic, government, non-profit organizations, and business clients. CDOR combines the scientific advantages of random sampling with the communicative properties of focus group research.
The Office of Survey Research at The Annette Strauss Institute produces expert survey and field research for academic, government, non-profit organizations, and business clients.OSR provides customized survey research to help researchers uncover the attitudes and opinions of the public .
Contact Information
Annette Strauss Institute For Civic Participation
Lake Austin Centre, Suite 2.316
3001 Lake Austin Boulevard
Austin, Texas 78703-4200
Phone: (512) 471-1959
Fax: (512) 471-1927
Email: strauss@communication.utexas.edu
Web: www.annettestrauss.org