Want to Close Racial Gaps, Advance Equity? Try These Policy Ideas

On his first day as president, Joe Biden signed an executive order that the federal government pursue comprehensive policies to close racial gaps and advance equity for all. IPR faculty have identified and sought to address gaps, all of which the pandemic and ensuing recession have affected. They have made specific research-driven policy suggestions on education, healthcare, housing, and other government services that could help bring the goals of Biden’s executive order to fruition.

Faculty Spotlight

Stephanie Edgerly

Media scholar and IPR associate Stephanie Edgerly studies how audiences consume and engage with the news. “What I think makes the field of media really interesting is that everybody has personal experience with media,” she said. 

Research News

Two-Thirds of Parents Voice Concern About Students' Learning Losses in a New Survey

As school districts, teachers, parents, and students struggle with how to handle schooling, IPR political scientist James Druckman finds that two-thirds of parents are concerned about the quality of K–12 learning during the pandemic. The majority though are against returning to physical classrooms. 

Recent Faculty Research

Read recent IPR research, including studies that investigate how good relationships with parents during childhood can be a buffer to the common cold, if racial biases are behind worries about diseases that originate in Africa over those of other regions, and if people choose romantic partners based on their preferred traits and behaviors. 

How Does School Spending Impact Students?

In a new video, IPR economist Kirabo Jackson explains that by looking at the long-term outcomes of students you can see the benefits of increased spending. Watch the IPR explainer video and read the related policy brief to learn more about his research. You can also view other videos featuring IPR faculty. 

Faculty Opinion