2024-2025 Fellows Research
The Promise and Perils of Interpartisan Friendships for Fostering Democratic Learning and Reducing Values-Based Polarization on Campus by Tara D. Hudson, PhD
by Alyssa N. Rockenbach, PhD
Table of Contents Background and Objectives
2
References 44
Methods 6
Appendix A: Interview Participant Demographics 46
Findings: Key Themes from the Stories of Participants’ Interpartisan Friendships
8
Appendix B: Participant Narrative Accounts
How Did the Friendship Develop?
8
Chase 48
How is the Relationship Shaped by Their Campus?
12
Ellery 50
What Challenges and Conflicts Have they Experienced?
17
Ajay 47
Georgianna 52 Grace 54
How Do the Friends Sustain and Deepen Their Relationship? 25 How Has the Friendship Challenged and/or Changed the Friends’ Beliefs, Values, and Attitudes?
47
Jack 55 Jessica 56 John 57
29
Katherine 59
Participant Recommendations
32
Margo 62
Recommendations for Campus Educators
32
Mary 63
Recommendations for College Students
41
Max 65 Moses 66 Selena 68 Vanessa 69
1