Sydney Democracy Initative

The Sydney Democracy Initiative (SDI) is a major new venture at the University of Sydney. It was launched in early 2011 and aims to develop pioneering research, postgraduate training and public outreach initiatives that will have a long-term positive impact on academic and public life in Australia and the wider Asia and Pacific region. Building on the University’s scholarly reputation and public profile for excellence in the social sciences, SDI aspires to recognised leadership in research, postgraduate training and public policy discussion in all matters concerning the past, present and future of democracy, generously defined.

More information on SDI

SDI's External Site

Latest News & Events

  • Deliberative Democracy and Climate Governance

    11 August, 2011

    Professor John Dryzek will visit the University of Sydney as a guest of SDI and Professor David Schlosberg, SSPS. As part of his visit, he will give a seminar as part of the SDI Seminar Series, titled "Deliberative Democracy and Climate Governance". Further Information

  • Mediacracy?

    7 September, 2011

    Co-hosted by Sydney Democracy Initiative (SDI); Media and Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe (MDCEE). This brainstorm session is inspired by unorthodox questions: is there mounting evidence that 21st-century democracies resemble political oligarchies heavily mediated by press, radio, television and the Internet? Further Information.

News

  • Greece Debt Crisis Threatens Democracy

    4 July, 2011

    As the Global Financial Crisis deepens across Europe, what impact does the possbile bankrupcy of Greece have and what are the repcussions for the greater Atlantic Region? Are there lessons for the rest of the democratic world? Professor John Keane discusses the fall-out from events in Greece in the article in The Conversation. Full Article