NSLVE: Education and Research

The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) is a robust study of college and university student voting and service to over 1,000 U.S. higher education institutions across the country. Educators and students use their NSLVE data to teach about democracy in the classroom and beyond, to increase political learning across disciplines, to benchmark student voter participation, and to inform accreditation reports, among many other examples. The reports can also be used to identify gaps in student participation based on age, class level, field of study, race/ethnicity, and gender. Addressing equity gaps is an important step in higher education’s obligation to advance a more just and representational democracy.

With a database representing over 10 million students (more than half of the degree-seeking students in the U.S.) for each of the past four federal elections, NSLVE is also a significant database for research. We publish national student voting reports containing aggregate data that inform the work of higher education leaders, policymakers, and the media.

A Tool for Education and Research

NSLVE is primarily a tool to help colleges and universities fulfill their educational mission of preparing students for civic participation in democracy. Informed by insights from the NSLVE data, institutions develop programming and create learning and leadership opportunities for their students. Nationally, it allows scholars and practitioners of civic engagement to understand the landscape of youth political participation and understand what works to foster institutional environments that support civic education and participation.

Some examples include:

• Strengthening Research - The NSLVE study is frequently cited in scholarly books and academic articles, including in journals like:
  • Journal of Political Science Education
  • Electoral Studies
  • Community College Review
  • Journal of Communication Pedagogy
  • The Review of Higher Education
     
• Enhancing Teaching - Educators incorporate information and data from the NSLVE study into their classroom teaching. As one professor told us: “I have used the report in multiple courses. It has been an excellent teaching tool to get students thinking critically about voting and registration and how best to encourage political engagement.”
   
• Supporting Learning about Democracy - Higher education institutions have used NSLVE to inspire and inform civic education efforts beyond the classroom. Examples include:
  • First-year experiences and orientation modules focused on civic and political engagement
  • Candidate forums that bring local elected officials to campus to engage with students
  • Alternative spring break trips to give students hands-on experience with civic and political institutions
     
• Driving Institutional Development and Collaboration - NSLVE findings have informed faculty and staff training and partnerships, such as professional development workshops for student-facing staff, and fostering connections with faculty members in schools and  disciplines with lower voting rates