Posts Categorized: Research Blog

Cecilia de la Guardia (PPS ‘24): “Congress Should Pass the Equality Act”

In 18 states, there is no legal protection for LGBTQ+ people who face housing discrimination. In 21 states, members of the queer community can be refused service and denied entry to public accommodations such as restaurants, hotels, and bakeshops. In 35 states, there is no law prohibiting banks from denying loans to people based off their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Anne Chen (PPS ‘24): “Pay Gap Within Women’s Sports”

Female athletes competing at a professional level should be paid equally to their professional male counterparts. For as long as women have been able to compete on a professional level, there has been a sizeable pay gap, less coverage, and limited power. These outcomes contribute to the gender inequality women face.

Professor Mac McCorkle on Governor Roy Cooper’s New Spending Plan, ABC11

Man in blue button up looking into camera.

Professor Mac McCorkle provides commentary on Governor Cooper’s proposed budget plan, which includes investments in education, health care, and economic development. McCorkle notes that there are nuances to the budget proposal that could cause it to face opposition from Republican lawmakers in the legislature.

Professor Mac McCorkle on Governor Roy Cooper’s Efforts to Pass Gun Legislation, CBS17

Professor Mac McCorkle comments on Gov. Cooper’s efforts to pass his own gun legislation, describing it as “very dubious.” He makes it clear Cooper’s mention of children was not an accident, noting “Cooper was trying to bend over backwards, saying, ‘Let’s focus on children and gun problems. Let’s focus on that,’” McCorkle said.

Professor Nick Carnes on His New Book: “The Politics of the Marvel Cinematic Universe”, Chapelboro

They first got interested in the topic after getting involved in a discussion on Twitter regarding politics in the Marvel universe. Carnes notes that he first got involved because “I saw this [Twitter conversation] as a brilliant group of political scientists, political theorists, communications scholars, popular culture scholars.

Professor Jay Pearson on routine traffic stops for Black motorists in NC, The 9th Street Journal

The article suggests that Pearson’s experiences are not unique and that Black motorists are more likely to be stopped and searched by police than white motorists. Pearson provides a personal account of the disproportionate impact of traffic stops on Black drivers in Durham and to highlight the larger issue of racial profiling by law enforcement.

Professor Nick Carnes on the Shift to Pass/Fail Grading for PUBPOL155, The Chronicle

Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy has decided to transition the grading system for its introductory course to a pass/fail system starting in the fall of 2023. The course, which is a requirement for public policy majors, is currently graded on a letter-grade scale. The decision to transition to a pass/fail system was made in response to student feedback, which indicated that the letter-grade system added unnecessary stress and pressure to the course.