The Resilient Democracy Lab brings evidence-based research on democracy to institutions, policymakers, practitioners and the public through policy engagement, civic education, training and media.
For conferences, workshops and events organised by the Lab, see Events.
Junior scholarsICON•S + RDLab · 13–22 May 2026
International methods, writing, publishing and career training, with workshops and mentoring for junior public-law scholars, jointly organised by the Lab and partner institutions.
Civic educationNSW Parliament · 18 Nov 2026 final
Following the statewide school challenge on 15 September, selected students will refine their proposals at the NSW Parliament final and send their persuasive letters to real-world decision-makers.
ProgramSydney Writers’ Festival · 19 Sep 2026
George Megalogenis joins Nick Bryant and Rosalind Dixon at the State Library of NSW to examine the forces reshaping Australian politics and the future of our democracy.
PartnershipUNSW Law & Justice · 2026
An international judicial leadership and professional-development program combining research, mentoring and practical skills to strengthen judicial capacity, diversity and public confidence in democratic legal institutions.
ProgramUNSW · 2026
A non-partisan program offering practical training, mentoring, political insight and durable networks for diverse women preparing to run for elected office and contribute to public life.
REPORTRDLAB + INSTITUTE E61
The media that shape how Australians see the world
A data driven report on the Australian demand of narratives over traditional and non-traditional platforms.
OIMRDLAB ONLINE
Measuring and monitoring the global supply of narratives over social media.
ArticleUNSW BusinessThink · 7 Sep 2026
Research from the Lab’s Money, Power, and Democracy workshop examines how corporate ownership and market power can create political influence beyond conventional donations and lobbying.
10 News+Video10 News+ · 30 Aug 2026
A television discussion of expanded security powers, civil liberties, public trust and the role of social media in democratic accountability.
ArticleInside UNSW · 17 Aug 2026
The Lab and Centre for Public Integrity bring multidisciplinary research and practitioner expertise to proposals for political-finance reform.
AudioABC Big Ideas · 18 Jun 2026
A Sydney Writers’ Festival conversation on declining trust, anti-democratic politics and the institutions that can strengthen democratic life.
ArticleEureka Street · 26 Mar 2026
Why democratic backsliding can grow from economic insecurity, ineffective government, mistrust of bureaucracy and institutional responses that unintentionally strengthen populist appeal.
ArticleUNSW BusinessThink · 11 Mar 2026
Research shows how distrust can trap democracies into avoiding ambitious long-term reform, even when institutions can deliver it.
ABC RNAudioABC Radio National · 1 Mar 2026
Rosalind Dixon discusses Australia’s constitutional system and her new book, co-authored with William Partlett, which aims to make the Constitution more accessible to citizens.
RDLabPhotos + videoRDLab · 26 Feb 2026
Photos and the complete formal-event recording from the official launch of the UNSW Resilient Democracy Lab.
AFRArticleAustralian Financial Review · 13 Feb 2026
An analysis of gender, representation and the political challenge facing the Liberal Party. The destination may require an AFR subscription.
YouTubeVideoResilient Democracy Lab · 22 Dec 2025
A discussion of elite failure, political disaffection and the conditions that can help far-right populist movements grow.
ProMarketArticleProMarket · 14 May 2025
Why resistance to experts can emerge from democratic delegation—and what anti-technocratic backlash means for liberal democracy.
The ConversationArticleThe Conversation · 23 Apr 2025
Game theory shows why major parties can converge on similar policies as both compete for the median voter.
ArticleUNSW BusinessThink · 15 Apr 2025
New research explains how delegation to technocrats can produce political cycles that weaken democratic stability and legitimacy.
ProMarketArticleProMarket · 26 Jun 2024
Research on how legislative stalemate can change electoral incentives and make voters more willing to support polarising candidates.
POLECONUKVideoPOLECONUK · 5 Mar 2024
A political-economy seminar on anti-elite populism, institutional distrust and the electoral appeal of candidates who promise disruption.
EconimateVideoEconimate · 10 Jan 2024
An animated account of why political instability can produce too many laws and how that affects the economy.
AEAArticleAEA Featured Chart · 27 Nov 2023
A chart-led explanation of evidence that news about local corruption can increase dishonest behaviour among citizens.
PodcastAudioNot Another Politics Podcast · 15 Nov 2023
A conversation about evidence that ineffective government can itself drive polarisation and support for extremist candidates.
POLECONUKVideoPOLECONUK · 16 Oct 2023
A seminar presenting experimental evidence on how legislative gridlock can change voter behaviour and intensify political polarisation.
ProMarketArticleProMarket · 9 Oct 2023
An account of the political forces behind populism and the circumstances in which voters turn against expert institutions.
ProMarketArticleProMarket · 20 Oct 2021
How constitutional design can help democracies respond to emergencies without allowing temporary restrictions to become the new normal.
CEPRArticleVoxEU / CEPR · 23 Jan 2021
Evidence on how racially inflammatory political campaigning can affect discretionary police behaviour towards Black drivers.
BilkentVideoBilkent University · 19 Dec 2020
A microeconomics seminar examining democratic accountability and the difficult balance between civil liberty and collective security.
PodcastAudioNot Another Politics Podcast · 9 Sep 2020
A research-focused conversation about political scandals, strategic timing and what voters infer from an election-campaign bombshell.
CEPRArticleVoxEU / CEPR · 14 Jul 2016
Survey and electoral evidence from Tunisia challenges common explanations of support for Islamist parties and highlights the role of economic interests.
