The post is based on a webinar sponsored by the Institute of Politics at Florida State University. The Institute of Politics at Florida State University presents Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Representative Al Lawson (D-FL). Dunn and Lawson engage in discussions on the upcoming 117th Congress and how to best navigate lawmaking in these polarizing…
Meet A Social Scientist: Dr. Mackenzie Alston from Economics
What is your name?Dr. Mackenzie Alston What kind of work do you do in the College?I am an assistant professor in the Economics Department. I teach, do research and engage in service in the department, profession and community. Why did you decide to become an academic? A big part of it was because of my…
Social Science Scholar: Power of We and Independent Research
Due to COVID-19, my summer plans did not necessarily turn out the way I had initially intended. I had planned on helping my organization, Power of We, transition to a new director, finishing up my research, and interning. However, I was not able to do an internship due to to unforeseen complications brought by the…
Ph.D. Spotlight: Is State Safety Net Capacity Adequate to Meet Basic Needs?
The decentralization of welfare allows governments to experiment and create a variety of goods in response to differences in constituent pressures, institutional constraints, and resource constraints. An important measure of the performance of a state’s social safety net is how effective it is at protecting the less fortunate during a contracting economy. State governments influence…
Research Spotlight: Diversion and Deception: Dudley Clarke’s “A” Force and Allied Operation in World War II
Most British and Americans have some understanding of D-day, even if the extent of their knowledge is that the Allied invasion was a success. While history makes the Allied victory at Normandy seem like a foregone conclusion, Allied planners never enjoyed such confidence. In 1943 when Allied leadership began making their initial plans for the…
Policy Pub: Florida Charter Schools: Not as Good, or as Bad, as Advertised
This post is based on a webinar sponsored by Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. There is a lot of misinformation regarding charter schools. This webinar dives into some common myths and misconceptions on charter schools and sets the record straight. Specifically, this webinar does so through the findings of a recent LCI…
COVID-19 in Florida: Disparities in the Black Population
This article was first posted October 19th, 2020. After the COVID-19 pandemic caused statewide shutdowns and social distancing regulations across the nation in March 2020, the State of Florida reopened on May 18, 2020. Shortly after its reopening, hospitals and testing centers reported a drastic increase in positive COVID-19 tests. In July 2020, Florida became…
Meet a Social Scientist: Dr. Metcalf from International Studies
What is your name?Dr. Lee Metcalf What kind of work do you do in the College?Among other things, I am the director of the International Studies degree programs. Why did you decide to work at an academic institution? I was an FSU political science major who became absolutely fascinated with the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe…
Social Science Scholar: Entrepreneurship and Activism
I spent my summer working as a brand ambassador for the social media app SuperShe, working with my family to start a small business, and acting as a member of the activism committee of Florida State University’s Progress Party. SuperShe is a social media app that was created with the purpose of being a safe…
Ph.D. Spotlight: Metropolitan Planning Organizations: The Usage of Regional Organizations and Coordination
Regional Intergovernmental Organizations (RIGOs) are a growing field of research within the public administration context. These organizations provide a unique area of governance within their particular boundaries due to their amorphous nature interacting with all branches of government, providing a broad array of planning and policy options. Historical governance literature dictates that the role of…
