Democracy Innovation Festival 2026
Event Details
Partners:
Democracy Innovation Festival: Securing Healthy Societies Through Democratic Renewal
📅 Date: Monday 17 to Tuesday 18 August 2026
⌚ Time: See program overview below
📍 Location: Adelaide University City West Campuses & Online (see program overview below for specific locations)
Adelaide University, in partnership with Democracy 2036, invites you to be part of a bold and timely conversation about the future of democracy.
The Democracy Innovation Festival brings together leading Australian and international thinkers, policymakers, researchers, students, civic leaders, and community advocates to explore how democratic systems can be renewed to support healthier, more resilient, and more inclusive societies.
At a time of declining trust in institutions, rising political polarisation, and rapid technological change, this two-day hybrid festival examines the foundations of democratic life - from civic participation and education to governance, artificial intelligence, and Indigenous sovereignty - and asks:
How can we strengthen democracy for the challenges ahead?
Grounded in Adelaide University’s Personal & Societal Health Research Strategy, the Festival recognises that democratic institutions, civic trust, and political equality are essential to both societal wellbeing and national resilience.
Designed to be free, inclusive, participatory, and action-oriented, the Festival is not just a conversation - but the beginning of ongoing collaboration and democratic renewal in South Australia and beyond.
What to Expect:
Across two dynamic days of in-person and online programming, attendees can engage with:
Opening plenaries and keynote conversations from leading scholars and practitioners
Expert panels and public discussions on democratic participation, education, leadership, and innovation
Interactive workshops and Active Citizen Labs focused on real-world democratic challenges
Hands-on skills labs to build practical civic capability (e.g. engaging parliament, writing submissions, understanding rights)
Sessions exploring technology, AI, and collective intelligence in strengthening democracy
Dedicated opportunities for students, early-career researchers, and young people
A Schools Democracy Innovation Challenge showcasing student ideas and democratic visions
A Citizen Pledge initiative inviting participants to commit to actions that support democratic renewal
The Festival will also feature the launch of Democracy 2036, a forward-looking initiative focused on long-term democratic reform and innovation.
Whether you are a student, researcher, policymaker, or engaged citizen, this Festival offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to the future of democracy.
Partnerships
We welcome collaboration with organisations interested in supporting democratic renewal. Opportunities include contributing to programming, hosting sessions, sharing the event, or participating as speakers and facilitators.
For further enquiries, please contact Dr Sarah Moulds
Program Overview - Monday, 17 August 2026
- 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Festival Welcome (Welcome to Country and Welcome to the Democracy Innovation Festival)
Join us for a Welcome to Country and Welcome to the Festival - learn about what to expect in our exciting two days together! Location: Pridham Hall Function Room (Level 1), City West Campus
- 10:00 am - 10:40 am
Foundations of Democratic Innovation - Opening Address by Distinguished Professor Dr Irene Watson - Coloniality, the possibility and impossibility of Democracy
Opening address by Distinguished Professor Irene Watson: Coloniality, the possibility and impossibility of Democracy. Sets the intellectual and cultural framing of the Festival through Indigenous perspectives and critiques of democratic systems. Location: Pridham Hall Function Room (Level 1), City West Campus
- 10:45 am - 11:30 am
Reimagining Constitutional Foundations + Democracy 2036 Launch
Expert Panel Featuring Steve Larkin, John Williams, Ainoa Cabada, Alan Reid and David Washington . Location: Pridham Hall Function Room (Level 1), City West Campus
- 11:30 am - 12:45 pm
Aboriginal Governance from an Elders’ Perspective - Purkarninthi Aboriginal Elders
Join us for a unique opportunity to hear distinguished members of the Purkarninthi Aboriginal Elders in conversation with Bradley Distinguished Professor Irene Watson Location: Pridham Hall Function Room (Level 1), City West Campus
- 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Putting people back in our democracy - Featuring international Guest Josh Lerner + Democracy Co
Join Josh Lerner, democracyCo and friends for an interactive, engaging and energising workshop exploring how our public institutions could better involve citizens between elections, practical ways communities can contribute to positive change, and how everyday people can work together to make things happen. Want to connect with others who care about strengthening our democracy? Join us for a thoughtful, hands-on conversation! Location: Pridham Hall Function Room (Level 1), City West Campus
- 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Civic Capability + Participatory Practice (EOI)
Hands-on workshop exploring participatory budgeting and democratic innovation tools and approaches. Featuring international Guest Josh Lerner Location: Pridham Hall Function Room (Level 1), City West Campus
- 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Active Citizen Lab #1: Engaging with Parliament
Co-design session exploring parliamentary engagement, barriers, and reform ideas. Outputs include citizen-generated recommendations. Location: Online
Active Citizen Lab #2: Youth Democracy Lab (Youth-only EOI)
Youth-led exploration of democratic participation, rights, and policy influence. Location: To be confirmed
- 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm
Civic Capability & Civics Education - Two Expert Panels on Democracy Literacy and Youth Attitudes to Democracy
Expert panel on democratic literacy and youth attitudes to democracy featuring Alan Reid, Malcolm McInerney, Nick Bordelea, Joe McIntyre, and Sharon Zivkovic. Location: Bradley Forum, City West Campus
- 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
ARDN/Dem36 Reboot: AI and Democracy Salon
Can AI Save Democracy? Join Dem36 and the Australian Resilient Democracy Network (ARDN) in South Australia for a short conversation about ARDN Global Fellow Beth Noveck’s new book, Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy. Location: West Oak Hotel, City West Campus (drinks and meals available to purchase)
- 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Civic Capability + Civics Education - Teacher & Community Leaders Training: Citizens Now Approach (EOI)
Practical training on building civic capability and supporting democratic participation. Location: Online Only
Program Overview - Tuesday, 18 August 2026
- 9:30 am - 11:00 am
ECR/HDR Democracy Innovation Challenge (EOI)
Evidence-based strategies to improve public trust and institutional accountability. Expression of Interest participants invited to ensure an engaged and diverse cohort. Location: Online Only
- 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Active Citizenship Skills Lab #3: Human Rights Approaches to Law and Policymaking
Practical training in submissions, engaging MPs and committees, inquiries, oversight bodies, and protest rights. Location: Pridham Hall Function Room (Level 1), City West Campus & Online
- 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Giving Voice: How Do Arts and Culture Support Democracy? Chaired by Elizabeth Ho OAM and Greg Mackie OAM
How do arts and culture create spaces for expression, dialogue, critique, and belonging in our democracy? Expert Panel chaired by Greg Mackie OAM & Elizabeth Ho OAM along with Emeritus Prof Ian Gibbins, Tully Barnett, Associate Professor in Creative Industries and Cultural Policy AU, Craig Middleton, Museologist Archival Collection Development at State Library of SA, Naomi Ebert-Smith Chair, The Graham F Smith Peace Foundation. Location: Pridham Hall Function Room (Level 1), City West Campus
- 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Active Citizenship Skills Lab #4: Participating When Life Is Hard
Designing democratic participation for people facing time, income, disability, and care constraints. Location: Yungondi Y1-70 Enterprise Suite, City West Campus
- 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Technology, Trust & Collective Intelligence (Conversation + Workshop) featuring International Guest Beth Noveck
In conversation with Beth Noveck exploring AI, participation, and democratic innovation. Location: Pridham Hall Function Room (Level 1), City West Campus
- 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Walking the Talk on Democracy - Panel 1 Featuring The Conversation Editor Misha Ketchell, Josh Lerner, Nsyra Khanna and others
How should we talk about democracy in Australia? Location: Bradley Forum, City West Campus
- 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm
Walking the Talk on Democracy - Expert Panel featuring Dr Susan Close, Dr Catherine Williams (Centre for Public Integrity) and Professor Lisa Hill
Expert Panel on Political leadership and democratic renewal, featuring Dr Susan Close, Dr Catherine Williams (Centre for Public Integrity) and Professor Lisa Hill Location: Bradley Forum, City West Campus & Online
Walking the Talk on Democracy - Citizen Pledge Initiative
Public commitments to democratic action and engagement. Location: Online Only
Schools Democracy Innovation Challenge
Students in participating High Schools and Primary Schools are supported to draft a preamble for a South Australian Charter of Citizens Rights and Responsibilities. Location: Online Only
Untangled Interactive Art Installation
Get excited - more details to come! Location: Ground Floor, Nexus 10 Building, City East Campus
- 9:00 am
IPAA SA Event - How We Can Use AI to Redesign Government From The Inside Out
Wednesday 19 August, 9:00-11:00am How We Can Use AI to Redesign Government From The Inside Out Institute of Public Administration Australia (SA) special event featuring Beth Noveck. Drawing on experience advising leaders at the White House, 10 Downing Street and the German Chancellery, Beth will share her insights on how governments can harness AI to improve decision-making, tackle public challenges and build institutions that are fit for the future. To register visit: https://sa.ipaa.org.au/events/howcanairedesigngovernment/
- 2:00 pm
ForeGood Event - Your Gov Relations Plan: A Former Staffer's Blueprint for FORE Good's Policy Model - 2pm Monday 17 August
Ever wondered how you turn a community concern into something a decision-maker actually reads and acts on? FORE Good is a non-partisan organisation whose team has taken real issues all the way to the floor of Federal and Victorian Parliament, using nothing but a one-page brief and a well-run meeting. In this session, you'll get behind the scenes of how that works: why the briefs are structured the way they are, what makes an MP meeting land, and how FORE Good built this capability from a standing start. Practical, plain-language and hands-on, this session is for anyone who has something to say and wants it heard, no policy background required. For further details and to RSVP visit : https://forms.gle/hKCqGK9SmvSSXXtz8
FAQs
- Is the Festival free to attend?
Yes, the Democracy Innovation Festival is a free event, designed to be inclusive and accessible to all participants. Registration is required via Humanitix.
- Where will the Festival take place?
The Festival will be held across Adelaide University’s City West Campus in Adelaide, with selected sessions also available online. Specific locations and access details will be included in the full program closer to the event.
- Who should attend?
The Festival welcomes:
Community members and active citizens
Students and young people
Teachers and educators
Public servants and policymakers
Researchers and advocates
Civic, cultural, and community leaders
Anyone interested in the future of democracy and civic participation
- Can I attend online?
Yes, selected Festival sessions will be available online for participants unable to attend in person. Please note that some workshops and interactive activities will be delivered exclusively on campus. Further details will be provided in the full program closer to the event.
- Do I need any prior experience or knowledge to attend?
Not at all. The Festival is designed for people from all backgrounds and levels of experience – whether you are new to civic engagement or actively working in the democracy and policy space.
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