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2012 News Archive
For previous years' news archives, please go here.
January
January 2012
 Examining America's Elite Lawyers
A recent study by IPR legal scholar John Heinz and his colleagues indicates why elite lawyers on the right hold a distinct advantage over their Democratic counterparts in terms of agenda setting and legislative lobbying. It could also shed light on other aspects of politics such as why, for example, Republican-leaning Super PACs attract more money than Democratic ones.
Voters Overrate Favorite Candidates
A new study co-authored by IPR economist Charles F. Manski found that no matter what the polls show, voters think their preferred candidate will win. Said Manski, "People thought their preferred candidate had a higher chance of winning, in every election, no matter in which state they live, no matter who was running, no matter which political party."
Delivering Warmth for Afghan Babies
Thanks to Northwestern Medicine pediatrician and IPR associate Craig Garfield, 14,000 silver mylar blankets — the kind typically handed out to runners after a marathon — are headed to Afghanistan to help children in danger of freezing to death this winter in scarcely heated refugee camps. More than 20 Afghan children have already died from the cold in the past month.
What Shields Gay Youth from Suicide?
New research by medical social scientist and IPR faculty associate Brian Mustanski is the first to show what happens over time to LGBT teens who are bullied and victimized, finding that being bullied and experiencing low levels of support from others boost the risk that they will become suicidal or try to harm themselves.
Aspen Institute Taps IPR Fellow for Ascend Program
IPR developmental psychologist P. Lindsay Chase-Lansdale was named one of 20 inaugural Ascend Fellows by the Aspen Institute. An expert on the interface between research and social policy for children and families, she joins a select group of leaders and researchers from around the nation who are pioneering dual-generation approaches to move families out of poverty.
Watch the announcement.
Read the Q&A about Chase-Lansdale work on CareerAdvance®.
Better Measure for Racial Disparities in Causes of Death
IPR social demographer Quincy Thomas Stewart proposes a supplemental method for estimating and comparing death rates that could lead to a better understanding of the racial gap in causes of death. His "cause-deleted index" might help to pinpoint the leading causes of death with much greater accuracy and lead to more targeted prevention policies for diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Politics Catches Up with Views on Income Inequality
IPR sociologist Leslie McCall combs through two decades of public opinion research to explain why popular movements and presidential speeches are catching up with what Americans have long thought about income inequality. The public’s concerns about income inequality have remained constant, she argues, but what’s new is how the black box of business practices has been opened to public scrutiny and deliberation.
Women in Power Can Help Girls Dream Bigger
A new study, co-authored by IPR economist Lori Beaman, examines the impact of an affirmative action law in India that reserves leadership positions for women in village councils. Published in Science, the research shows that such laws can increase girls' career aspirations and erase the gender gap in adolescent educational attainment.
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