Joseph Kahne, Director
Joseph Kahne is currently the Davidson Professor of Education and Dean of the School of Education at Mills College. His research focuses on the democratic purposes of education and urban school reform.

As Director of Research at CERG, Joe is currently overseeing a California statewide study that examines high school students’ democratic commitments, capacities, and activities, as well as the availability and efficacy of school-based civic opportunities. A component of this study includes a longitudinal study of the civic implications of young people's use of digital media. Recently completed projects include a collaboration with the Pew Internet & American Life Project in which Joe co-directed a national study of how teen video game use related to civic commitments and activities. In 2007 he completed a three-year study (co-directed with John Easton of the Consortium on Chicago School Reform) of Chicago high schools and the small school reform.

Recent publications include: “Developing Citizens: The impact of civic learning opportunities on students’ commitment to civic participation,” forthcoming in the American Educational Research Journal, co-written with Susan Sporte Democracy for some: The civic opportunity gap in high school, a CIRCLE Working Paper co-written with Ellen Middaugh; "What Kind of Citizen? The Politics of Educating for Democracy" in the American Education Research Journal and "The Limits of Political Efficacy: Educating Citizens for a Democratic Society" in PS: Political Science and Politics, both co-written with Joel Westheimer; and "Is Patriotism Good for Democracy? A Study of High School Seniors' Patriotic Commitments" Phi Delta Kappan, co-written with Ellen Middaugh. In addition, Joe serves in an advisory capacity to several civic initiatives, organizations, and foundations. Link to CV.

Ellen Middaugh, Senior Research Consultant
Ellen Middaugh"s research focus is on civic and political socialization of young people.
At CERG Ellen directs quantitative and qualitative data analyses projects, plans and designs qualitative and quantitative research projects, including data collection strategies and the development of survey instruments and scales, and manages data collection.

Recent publications include: Democracy for some: The civic opportunity gap in high school, a CIRCLE Working Paper co-written with Joe Kahne; "Is Patriotism Good for Democracy? A Study of High School Seniors' Patriotic Commitments" in Phi Delta Kappan, and "Civic Development in Context: The Influence of Local Contexts on High School Students' Beliefs about Civic Engagement" forthcoming in Educating Citizens for Troubled Times: Qualitative Studies of Current Efforts, both co-written with Joe Kahne; and "Thinking in a Democratic Way: Hilda Taba and the Ethos of Brown" in the Journal Curriculum and Supervision, co-written with Daniel Perlstein. Her dissertation explores adolescent reasoning about civic and political engagement. Link to CV.

Chris Evans, Senior Program Associate
Chris Evans’ background includes graduate work in music, literature and comparative literature, as well as professional editing and translation experience.