Democratizing Civic Language Data Through Mini-Grant Projects
By PACE
When PACE released the data from its Civic Language Perceptions Project in March 2022, not only did we know we couldn’t analyze the 16,000 pages of data, but we shouldn’t. We are a small team, and–very naturally–our team members have their own curiosities and biases. What would we miss if the analysis and interpretation of the data relied on our leadership, alone?
In alignment with our goal to democratize access to the data from our Civic Language Perceptions Project, PACE created a mini-grant program that made $500 stipends available to anyone in the civic field who was interested in analyzing the CLPP data and creating something customized with it. This program supported 19 projects in exploring a variety of topics of interest to researchers and organizations across the country, ranging from high school students to university researchers to nonprofit organizations. And while the products resulting from these projects vary greatly from sophisticated data analysis to artwork, blog posts, videos, community conversations, debates, presentations, and more, all of the projects have one thing in common: they offer important analysis about our civic language, provided of, by, and for the civic field.
In this post, we are excited to highlight some of the work that these mini-grants enabled, and we will keep this page updated as more projects release their work.
Student Essays and Artwork at Dobson Montessori School, AZ
Dobson Montessori School presented an art exhibit in response to the Civic Language Perceptions Project at the OneOhOne Gallery in Mesa, AZ, throughout the month of October 2022. In September, students in grades 7–12 at Dobson researched data and sought to understand people’s perceptions of language associated with civic engagement and democracy. Students each selected one of the 21 words from the CLPP to study. Following research and discussion group workshop sessions, each student created an original painting to further express their understanding of the power of language as a door to civic engagement. Framed paintings were presented to the community, along with a written essay reflecting each student’s commentary.
Identifying “Bridge Populations” for Reconciling Tensions Between American Ideals of Civic Life
Utilizing CLPP data on the perceptions American voters hold about civic language, Kaleb Nyguist identified 10 complementary pairs and 10 antagonistic pairs of civic ideals. Together, these pairs create a panoramic view of how Americans broadly delineate between what he refers to as civic virtue and civic vice. To encourage projects that overcome these antagonistic pairs, this analysis identifies “bridge populations” that are a demographic profile of the top 10% of Americans who hold positive associations for both ideals of an antagonistic pair. These bridge populations are an untapped, dynamic source of creativity for overcoming the tensions constraining civic life in the United States.
Debating What the Data Mean for Civics Education at Divided We Fall
Divided We Fall published a written debate between a liberal and a conversative, which explores what the CLPP data might mean for the future of civics education, public education, and how younger Americans are learning about democracy and civic engagement. Exploring points of agreement as well as divergent views, this piece models how conservative and liberal perspectives lead to different diagnoses and solutions to the problems of civics education today. By talking to each other, might we understand one another better and find some common ground?
We are inspired by the creativity, analysis, and community leadership exhibited by our mini-grant recipients and look forward to sharing more about additional projects as they are completed.
Peer-to-Peer Youth Voter Education in Pima, AZ
The Cradle to Career Partnership at the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona wove CLPP data throughout their narratives as they facilitated youth-led civic engagement projects and voter education. A two-part voter registration conversation took place this fall, where they discussed what elected officials do in the community and how voting is one step in being civically engaged. During this event they also unpacked reasons identified in the CLPP data for youth not wanting to vote or be civically engaged. They also walked youth through the registration process, answered questions about polling locations, described what is needed when they vote, and workshopped how to research candidates and make informed voting decisions.
Blogging about ‘Civil Society’ and ‘Liberty’ in Arlington, VA
The State Policy Network created two blog posts unpacking CLPP data related to 2 of the 21 terms: civil society and liberty. Each post digs into the data to understand Americans’ perceptions of these terms and what that might mean for ongoing civic education and discussion about shared democratic values.
Inspiring Youth Civic Engagement through Social Justice Organizing in Albany, NY
The People’s Perception Project in Albany, NY, did a project to inspire civic engagement among youth. Using the CLPP data, they looked for ways to expand young people’s understanding of what civic engagement includes beyond voting. They did this by teaching and inspiring young people to develop a social justice mission, join organizations and movements to shift power locally, and network with grassroots organizers through relationship building. They held a celebration event at the Blake Annex in Albany, NY, where students presented their civic projects and shared solutions for how to get involved in their local communities.
We are inspired by the creativity, analysis, and community leadership exhibited by our mini-grant recipients and look forward to sharing more about additional projects as they are completed.
For more information about PACE’s Civic Language Perceptions Project, please visit PACEfunders.org/Language.
