What is your major and why did you choose it? My major is Interdisciplinary Social Science, with a concentration in Law and Society. Initially, I was a political science major. But I wanted to learn more about the social sciences instead of focusing on just one aspect. So, I decided to change my major in…
Tag: Social Science Scholars
Graduate Student Spotlight: Tim Arthur from the Department of Sociology
What department are you a graduate student in? Sociology Why did you decide to go to graduate school? As someone deeply passionate about pursuing a more equitable society, I wanted a tangible way to impact public discourse and, hopefully, even public policy. Graduate school gives me the tools to do this. Did your interests change…
Research Quick Take: Taking Stock of What We Know About Large-Scale Urban Development Projects: A Review of Existing Theoretical Frameworks and Case Studies
Large urban development projects (UDPs) such as stadiums, convention centers, waterfront, and downtown redevelopments are conspicuous in many cities today. These projects have become common enough to inspire an extensive literature of urban planning case studies in recent decades. Planning scholars have examined, for instance, the public-private partnerships that often make them possible, the tension…
Research Quick Take: Rethinking Regulatory Capture
The capture theory of regulation, popularized in an article by Nobel laureate George Stigler, concludes that regulatory agencies become “captured” by the firms they regulate. Regulatory agencies act in the best interest of the firms they regulate, rather than serving the general public interest. This occurs partly because regulated firms have a concentrated interest in regulatory outcomes whereas the general…
Undergraduate Spotlight: Tatyana LaCourse from the Department of International Affairs
What is your major and why did you choose it? I am an International Affairs and Political Science double major. I decided to major in these two fields because I am very interested in what goes on politically, across the world. I entered my studies hoping that in my future career, I could make a…
Graduate Student Spotlight: Alexander Austein from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning
What department are you a graduate student in? I’m a graduate student in the Department of Urban Planning, with a specialization in Transportation. Why did you decide to go to graduate school? I decided to go to graduate school because after spending a couple of years doing media work after my undergraduate career (2018-2020), I…
Research Quick Take: Limited effects of tree planting on forest canopy cover and rural livelihoods in Northern India
Many countries have started ambitious tree planting programs to recognize the benefits of forests to mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon to support rural livelihoods. Restoration ecologists caution us, however, that planting trees is not always the same as restoring a forest. India has been continuously committed to planting trees on a large scale for…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: The Effect of Public Renewable Energy Spending on Economic Growth in the EU
Climate change, pollution, greenhouse gasses, and other environmental factors of fossil fuels have led to research about renewable energy and its viability. Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy has become increasingly innovative and efficient within the past couple of decades. The European Union is one of the leading advocates, which this study aims…
IOP@FSU Field-Advancing Research: Do Twitter Bans Matter? Political Influencers and the Quality of Information they Share Before and After Account Suspensions
The Institute of Politics at Florida State University (IOP@FSU) is a world-class, nonpartisan, and nationally renowned institute that promotes engagement in politics by students and citizens. Housed within the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, the IOP@FSU supports applied political research by a cadre of world-class scholars and mobilizes the talents of our alumni, students, faculty,…
Undergraduate Spotlight: Rachel Solenthaler from the Department of Political Science
What is your major and why did you choose it? My major is Political Science with a minor in Sociology. I chose this major because I was super interested in the possibility of eventually attending law school post-graduation. This major seemed like a great way to have a base foundation that would best prepare me…
Wicked Problems, Wicked Solutions 