Welcome

The Annette Strauss Institute was founded in 2000 on the belief that active, engaged citizens are made, not born, and that society benefits when citizens take part. Through research, the Institute cultivates future generations of citizens and leaders.

In response to the university’s social distancing policy for COVID-19, the Annette Strauss Institute will not be open for walk-ins until further notice. However, staff will be available by email at strauss.institute@austin.utexas.edu.

Video Spotlight: A celebration of 20 years of the Annette Strauss Institute.

Save the Date

March 5, 2021

Speak Up Speak Out State Civics Fair Award Ceremony

March 9, 2021 (updated)

Civic Saturday on a Tuesday (SXSW Edition)

Educational Programs and Research

group of college-aged individuals walking on a bridge

College Programs

College programs include New Politics Forum and TX Votes. New Politics Forum offers nonpartisan training, educational seminars, and conferences across the state. TX Votes is a student-led organization on the University of Texas at Austin's campus that practices Get Out The Vote activities.

Annette Strauss Institute kindergarten through twelfth grade Program Icon

K-12 Programs

Speak Up Speak Out is a K-12 civic education program, in which students identify a community problem and collaborate in a small group to solve that issue. TexElects is a competition for high school students, in which students create art projects that encourage their community to vote during election cycles. RUReady Texas is an extension of an undergraduate and high school student civic education project from Rutgers University.