Civic Education Research Lab

Full-length view of the U.S. Capitol — Quality Civic Education for All

Investigating the effectiveness of civic teaching and learning
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About CERL

Formed at the nexus of academia and public policy, the Civic Education Research Lab (CERL) investigates the effectiveness of civic teaching and learning for elementary, secondary, and university students. CERL conducts research on programs and practices with collaborative partners in the field of civic education. We also examine civic engagement and discourse in the digital age.

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Our Projects

James Madison Legacy Project Expansion

Empowering high-need students for informed, thoughtful, and productive citizenship. The James Madison Legacy Project Expansion (JMLPE) seeks to improve professional development and…

Civics that Empowers All Students (CEAS)

We the People: Civics that Empowers All Students (CEAS) focuses on providing elementary and middle school teachers with professional development to instruct the Center for Civic Education’s We the…

Project Citizen Research Program

Project Citizen will reach thousands of students to increase civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Project Citizen is an interdisciplinary curricular program that promotes competent and…

Civics in the Digital Age

Educating students to engage effectively and responsibly using digital technology. The digital transformation of politics and society has substantial implications for civic education. People must…

James Madison Legacy Project

Providing civic education to high-need students. Preparing young people for civic life is an essential task of a democratic society. Civic education gives individuals heightened knowledge,…

Presidential and Congressional Academies

The Academies provide high-quality educational engagement in American history and civics. The Presidential Academy is for secondary school teachers, and the Congressional Academy is for high-need…

Civic Engagement

Civic Engagement is a program started by Dr. Diana Owen to educate students about the importance of addressing issues of public concern. Students can take political and non-political actions to…

Latest News

April 2025 Project Community Workshop, Philadelphia

Project Community Pilot Study Findings Show Positive Impact on Teachers’ Media Literacy

May 7th, 2025

CERL Director Diana Owen and Research Specialist Patrick McSweeney recently presented pilot study findings at the Project Community workshop in Philadelphia, where state coordinators and…

We the People National Finals meets in Leesburg, Va.

CERL Participates in Center for Civic Education’s We the People National Finals

April 15th, 2025

The CERL team attended the Center for Civic Education’s We the People National Finals, a simulated congressional hearing competition held in Leesburg, Va. and Washington, D.C. on April 9-11. The…

CERL's Patrick McSweeney, Nadya Hayasi and Katherine Weiss present paper on civic engagement at Midwest PSA meeting in Chicago.

CERL Presents Research to Midwest Political Science Association in Chicago

April 10th, 2025

What Does It Mean to Be an Engaged Citizen in a Digital World? CERL Associates Katherine Weiss and Nadya Hayasi presented their paper, “Reimagining Civic Engagement: New Dimensions in a Digital…

Diana Owen and Meghan Volcy Coordinator present at the October APSA workshop.

CERL and the Center for Civic Education Showcase Collaboration at APSA-NCAPSA Workshop

October 10th, 2024

Diana Owen, Georgetown Professor and CERL Director, and Meghan Volcy, Coordinator of National Grant Projects at the Center for Civic Education, made a joint presentation at the “Connecting…