What is the background of the podcast?

The Real Democracy Now! podcast started production back in 2016. Since then, we have had over 50,000 total listens throughout the more than 50 episodes that have been recorded, with Nivek interviewing over 30 guests throughout the past 3 years!

Throughout the episodes, I talk with experts, practitioners, change agents and everyday people about how democracy works and how we might do it better.

The podcast looks at democracy from different angles to help you think more deeply about democracy and identify the ways you think it could be improved.

“This podcast is for people who think we can, and should improve how democracy works”

“Many people are unhappy with how our democracies operate, but they don’t have the time to read articles and book, and speak to people in the field. Hence the podcast was born”

“My aim for the podcast is to provide people, outside academia, who are interested in improving democracy, with information about different ways of approaching democratic reform”

Who is Nivek (the producer)?

Nivek is a PhD student at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology, Sydney.

Her research is looking into how political elites (politicians/senior public servants) understand and respond to democratic innovations.

Nivek has always worked in an environment where citizen and member engagement is a key feature. Her fascination to commence her PhD can be traced back to 2011 when she became fascinated with the  numerous groups around the world calling for “real democracy”

Nivek hopes that her research will hope solve the widespread dissatisfaction with the institution of representative democracy