The Richard "Dick" Flacks Democracy Fund honors the contributions of former UC Santa Barbara Professor of Sociology, Dick Flacks. Professor Flacks joined the Department in 1969 and for the next 37 years influenced students, fellow faculty members, and the field of Sociology. His life's work focused on understanding and promoting responsible social change aimed at enhancing democracy and social equity. Gifts to the Fund support graduate student research and proposals which encourage public debate and the discussion of issues. The Richard "Dick" Flacks Democracy Fund supports research and education and enables the exploration of the conditions for democratic citizenship, the enhancement of democratic participation, and effective citizen action for social justice.