Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to launch a new nonpartisan academic institute at the University of California, Berkeley, in January. The Nancy Pelosi Institute for Representative Democracy aims to address challenges facing democratic systems.
Pelosi, a Democrat who represented San Francisco for nearly 40 years, will also co-teach a course on Congress as part of her involvement with the institute. She stated, “I am honored to partner with this exceptional community of scholars and students so we can equip the next generation with the tools they need to strengthen our democratic institutions and forge a future that serves the public good.”
The institute will focus on four key areas: strengthening democratic institutions in America, addressing societal, economic, and environmental challenges, promoting human and civil rights, and fostering political leadership that encompasses diverse perspectives.
Research at the institute is expected to explore topics such as strategies for addressing climate change and wealth inequality, as well as electoral reforms aimed at reducing voter polarization. The initiative has already secured more than $35 million in philanthropic commitments.
UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons emphasized the institute's alignment with the university's mission to promote civil discourse and prepare students for global leadership. The institute will be housed within the university's political science department. "We intend to do more than simply study democracy,” Lyons said. “We are building this institute to strengthen it.”
The institute will also feature an exhibit detailing Pelosi's career, including her two terms as House Speaker. She became the first female speaker during President George W. Bush's administration and later played a role in passing President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. Her second tenure as speaker coincided with a period of significant political division, including two impeachments of President Donald Trump.
Pelosi, 86, continues to be an influential figure in Democratic politics, particularly in California. Since stepping down from leadership in 2023, she has remained an active member of the House, offering counsel to emerging Democratic leaders.