Center for Constitutional Democracy
What We Do
We are the intellectual hub and action center bringing together scholars, practitioners, and community leaders for innovative work across legal strategy to defend and advance rights, justice, and democracy, and make a real difference in people’s lives.
Right now, the fabric of democracy, rule of law, and our constitutional and civil rights are being challenged on many fronts while we are also in a period of rapid technological change with growth in artificial intelligence.
Through cutting-edge scholarship, high-impact legal projects in our courts, legislatures, and communities, and supporting a new generation of leaders, we are meeting the moment and building for the future.
Initial priorities for the center include:
- Working across legal strategy in the courts, legislatures, and in communities to defend and advance U.S. constitutional rights and California law.
- Anticipating and proactively addressing threats to constitutional rights and democratic institutions in an era of rapid AI and other technological change.
- Turning scholarship into action that wins critical cases, passes landmark laws, and makes a difference in people’s lives.
- Building collective power through broad coalitions that bridge divides and center diverse community members.
- Training the next generation to utilize integrated advocacy and effectively work across strategies to drive change.
Meet Executive Director Nicole Ozer
“Right now, our constitutional and civil rights, the rule of law, and the very fabric of democracy are being challenged on many fronts, and we are in a period of rapid technological change with growth in artificial intelligence. I am honored to lead the new Center for Constitutional Democracy at UC Law SF at this critical time and drive innovative work to defend and advance rights, justice, and democracy, and make a real difference in people’s lives. Together, we will meet the moment and build for the future.”
Nicole Ozer is the Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Democracy at UC Law San Francisco. Ozer is a national expert on issues at the intersection of rights, technology, and democracy, including artificial intelligence, privacy and surveillance, and digital speech.
Prior to coming to UC Law San Francisco, Ozer was the founding director and longtime leader of the Technology and Civil Liberties Program at the ACLU of Northern California and led the organization’s award-winning work across strategy to defend and promote civil rights and civil liberties and drive access, equity, and justice in the digital age.
“The Center for Constitutional Democracy upholds our law school’s mission of exceptional teaching, influential scholarship, and exemplary public service, along with our belief in the power of law to advance democracy and safeguard constitutional values.”
— Chancellor & Dean David Faigman
Focus Areas
Defending and Advancing U.S. Constitutional Rights and California Law
The fabric of democracy, rule of law, and our constitutional and civil rights are being challenged on many fronts. The importance of state law and constitutions to protect and promote the rights and safety of diverse community members has become even more salient given the current political reality. We turn scholarship into action to win critical cases in state and federal court, pass landmark laws, and make a difference in people’s lives.
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Strengthening Constitutional Democracy in the AI Age
We rely on technology to connect, communicate, and access essential services every day. How technology is built and used can control our daily lives, influence our system of governance, and undermine the rights, knowledge, and institutions that are critical for a well-functioning and inclusive democracy. We anticipate and proactively address threats to constitutional rights and democratic institutions in an era of rapid AI and other technological change. We work across strategy to ensure technology works for the people and supports rights, democratic values, and access, equity, and justice.
Building for the Future – Making Democracy Work for All
Now is the time to build power for the democratic future we want and need – a well-functioning, inclusive democracy that truly supports access, equity, and justice for all. We bridge issues, strategies, and disciplines to meet the moment and strengthen democracy for the future. We work in partnership with diverse organizations and community members. We train the next generation to utilize integrated advocacy to support transformational change.
News
Save the Date: “From the Voting Rights Act to Artificial Intelligence: The History and Future of Free and Fair Elections.”
The Constitutional Law Quarterly, in partnership with UC Law SF’s new Center for Constitutional Democracy will be hosting our Spring Symposium: “From the Voting Rights Act to Artificial Intelligence: The History and […]
Scholarly Activity and Commentary
Commentary
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with ‘suspicious’ travel patterns
A U.S. Border Patrol program that monitors millions of drivers and uses algorithms to flag “suspicious” behavior raises significant constitutional questions, Nicole Ozer highlights in a story for The Associated Press.
Commentary
Is Border Patrol using license plate cameras to monitor drivers in Bay Area? Here’s what we know
Nicole Ozer urges the public to ask their city where license plate reader information collected is stored and who has access to it.
Commentary
Is the U.S. Border Patrol surveilling us?
License plate surveillance systems were once marketed to protect people, but are now being weaponized against community members, says Nicole Ozer.
Scholarship
Putting People Power Into U.S. Privacy Law
As AI transforms society, the stakes are higher than ever to ensure technology serves people—promoting access, equity, and justice.
AI
Putting the AI in Racial Justice
Nicole Ozer, executive director of the Center for Constitutional Democracy, discusses legal work to defend and advance rights and safety a UC Berkeley Law’s Race & Tech Symposium. “The rights and interests of people are generally the underdog in these fights,” she said.
Commentary
It’s Time to Revitalize the California Constitutional Right to Privacy
Nicole Ozer highlights opportunity for California courts to properly apply state’s privacy right.
Commentary
Will We Let a Digital Coup Against Democracy Prevail?
We are at a crossroads in our democracy, says Nicole Ozer.
Commentary
California’s Surveillance Systems Have Once Again Become a Major Liability
In recent decades, surveillance has increased exponentially across California.
Scholarship
Golden State Sword: The History and Future of California’s Constitutional Right to Privacy to Defend and Promote Rights, Justice, and Democracy in the Modern Digital Age
At the core of the California constitutional right to privacy is an allocation of power.
Connect with the Center for Constitutional Democracy
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Contact the Center for Constitutional Democracy at ccd@uclawsf.edu.
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