about the Center for Public Deliberation

Since 2006, the CPD has dedicated its efforts to enhancing local democracy.

Our Staff

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Director | Martín Carcasson, Ph.D.

Martín Carcasson, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Communication Studies department of Colorado State University, and the founder and director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation (CPD). His research focuses on helping local communities address “wicked problems” more productively through improved public communication, community problem solving, and collaborative decision-making. The CPD is a practical, applied extension of his work, and functions as an impartial resource dedicated to enhancing local democracy in Northern Colorado.

Katie website

Associate Director | Katherine R. Knobloch, Ph.D.

Katherine R. Knobloch, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Communication Studies department. Her research and teaching focus on political communication and civic engagement, specifically exploring how deliberative public processes can create a more informed and engaged citizenry. For this work, she has received a grant from the National Science Foundation to study the Citizens’ Initiative Review and examine how process design affects the quality and outcome of deliberative engagement. Katie teaches courses in deliberation, political communication, and persuasion and in her capacity at the CPD trains undergraduates to design and facilitate community meetings.

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Managing Director | Instructor
Sabrina Slagowski-Tipton, M.A.

Sabrina Slagowski-Tipton works as the Managing Director for the Center and is an Instructor in the Department of Communication Studies. She began her work with the Center for Public Deliberation in 2009 as a student facilitator. In 2016 she received her M.A. in Communication Studies with a specialization in Deliberative Practices from Colorado State University. Prior to joining the CPD team, she was an adjunct instructor in the Department of Communication Studies. Her research and work focuses on the role of expertise in deliberation, applying trauma-informed care approaches to facilitation, and increasing equity and inclusion in community engagement efforts.