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91ɫ��Ƭ Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs, said the new Lab demonstrated the University’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient and more united society, in line with the 91ɫ��Ƭ Strategy: Progress for All.

“Australia and the world have long benefited from strong democratic institutions, but they must be continually protected and renewed,” Prof. Brungs said. “Democratic institutions are under pressure around the world and in Australia.

“This Lab will harness 91ɫ��Ƭ’s standing as a world leader in democratic research across economics, political economy and law to build the knowledge, capacity and dialogue needed to keep democracy resilient here and globally.”

91ɫ��Ƭ Vice-President, Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement, Professor Verity Firth AM, said universities had a vital role in ensuring democracy remained a source of strength, stability and opportunity for all.

“Democratic resilience relies not only on strong institutions, but also on empowering citizens,” Prof. Firth said. “The Resilient Democracy Lab will help achieve this by generating the evidence, tools and public engagement needed to rebuild trust in democracy and the processes that underpin it.”

Designing more resilient institutions

Key research streams will examine the connections among economic power, institutional design, money and media in shaping democratic resilience and challenges such as disinformation and misinformation, campaign finance and foreign interference in elections. The Lab will also explore ways to strengthen public participation and inclusion, particularly for women and cultural minorities.

“Liberal democracy is not made of fragile glass, but if it’s too rigid, it may break,” Prof. Gratton said. “Designing better-functioning and more resilient democratic institutions requires a truly interdisciplinary evidence-based approach to understanding the causes and consequences of democratic erosion globally.

“The future of democracy depends on it.”

Professor Paul Andon, Interim Dean of 91ɫ��Ƭ Business School, said the Lab would demonstrate the power of cross-faculty expertise in addressing an urgent global challenge.

“The strength of this collaboration lies in uniting 91ɫ��Ƭ Business School’s expertise with our colleagues in 91ɫ��Ƭ Law & Justice to better understand and propose the right policies and interventions to protect democracies,” Prof. Andon said. “By bolstering public trust, transparency and accountability, the Lab will reinforce the vital connection between robust democracies and thriving economies.”

Professor Andrew Lynch, Dean of 91ɫ��Ƭ Law & Justice, said the partnership with 91ɫ��Ƭ Business School was an extension of the faculty’s longstanding commitment to enhancing public understanding of Australia’s constitution and democratic institutions.

“While 91ɫ��Ƭ Law & Justice has long focused on democratic constitutionalism, its defence is identified as a priority area in our current five-year strategy,” Prof. Lynch said. “We are living through a period of global challenges to constitutionalism, and this Lab will help ensure that safeguards on political power and core democratic principles remain central to Australia’s national conversation while also contributing to world-leading research and training of future democratic leaders and judges.”