Martin Carcasson

Carcasson is a professor of Communication Studies at Colorado State University, the founder and director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation and a faculty member for CSU’s Master of Public Policy and Administration program.

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.

Carcasson and the CPD staff train students to serve as impartial facilitators, who then work with local governments, school boards and community organizations to design, facilitate and report on innovative projects and events on key community issues.

In the fall of 2021, he helped launch the Northern Colorado Deliberative Journalism Project, and continues to serve on the core team for the project. He also works closely with ICMA and the National Civic League, running workshops on public engagement, and served as the chair of the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation’s Board of Directors from 2016-2021. Carcasson holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University.