Criminology ·
"Survivor-Defined Justice"
SPA professor explores the civil legal needs of sexual assault survivors.
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The cornerstone of SPA's success is its esteemed faculty, comprised of prolific scholars, researchers, lecturers, executives, and ambassadors – all leaders in their field. They delve into the complex and pressing issues of our time, yielding real-world, practical solutions for pressing problems. Read below for our latest research highlights organized by topic:
Criminology
Latest research in Criminology:
Criminology ·
Exploring “The Link”
SPA professor uses new data to examine the relationships among animal cruelty, domestic violence, and law enforcement outcomes.
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Criminology ·
The U.S. Criminal Justice System: Functional, Flawed, or "F***ed"
Second publication from SPA Assistant Professor TaLisa Carter’s Shades of Justice project finds that student perceptions of the criminal justice system vary by skin tone.
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Environmental Policy
Latest research in Environmental Policy:
Environmental Policy ·
What Happened to the Radical Environmental Movement?
In collaboration with undergraduate Grace Gold, SPA Associate Professor Thomas Zeitzoff published an article on attitudes towards cyber tactics in eco-activism.
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Health Policy & Management
Latest research in Healthy Policy & Management:
Health Policy & Management ·
Nursing Home Management and Public Health Crises
SPA professors and PhD candidate consider how regulation, management, and ownership affected COVID-19 outcomes in nursing homes.
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Health Policy & Management ·
Fetal Personhood and Advance Healthcare Directives
SPA professor and graduate student expose unseen legal and health consequences of recent attacks on reproductive rights.
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Health Policy & Management ·
Representative Bureaucracy Contagion Effects in Health Care
SPA researchers show that a higher proportion of female physicians in the ER improves heart attack outcomes for women, even without doctor/patient gender matching.
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Homeland Security Policy
Latest research in Homeland Security Policy:
Homeland Security Policy ·
Understanding Paths to Peace
SPA Professor Examines the Drivers and Outcomes of Terrorism and International Conflict
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Homeland Security Policy ·
New Report Shares First-Hand Experiences of Young Americans’ Relationship with Guns
New Report Shares First-Hand Experiences of Young Americans’ Relationship with Guns
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Homeland Security Policy ·
Nasty Politics
New book by SPA professor considers the logic behind political insults and incitements to violence.
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Nonprofit Management
Latest research in Nonprofit Management:
Nonprofit Management ·
The Next Frontier in Public Governance
SPA Professor Convenes International Dialogue on Refugee Camp Management
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Policy Analysis
Latest research in Policy Analysis:
Policy Analysis ·
Long Term Care Decisions Rely on Trust
SPA Scholars find that individuals making long-term care decisions do not show bias against government and trust public and nonprofit performance data
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Political Science
Latest research in Political Science:
Political Science ·
Tracing the Roots of Antisemitism
SPA professor explores the relationship between education and prejudice across countries.
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Political Science ·
"Campaigns Matter”: SPA Professors Publish New Edition of Campaigns and Elections American Style
The textbook, coproduced by academics and practitioners, examines the changing landscape of U.S. campaigns and elections.
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Public Finance and Budget
Latest research in Public Finance and Budget:
Public Finance and Budget ·
Do Faith-based Foster Care Agencies Discriminate Against Same-Sex Couples?
SPA professor finds that faith-based nonprofits are less responsive when applicant names suggest a homosexual relationship.
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Public Management and Leadership
Latest research in Public Management and Leadership:
Public Management and Leadership ·
Bureaucratic Efficiency or Democratic Participation?
SPA professor examines how the public views tradeoffs among administrative values.
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Public Management and Leadership ·
SPA Professor Edits Handbook on Global Public Administration and Policy
SPA Scholar in Residence Karen Baehler, also AU Associate Dean of Faculty, served as senior editor of The Oxford Handbook of Governance and Public Management for Social Policy
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Social Policy
Latest research in Social Policy:
Social Policy ·
Skin in the Game
SPA professor and alumna examine how skin tone impacts perceptions of physical attraction.
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Social Policy ·
Why Does Race Matter?
SPA Professor Examines Representation Outcomes and the Beliefs of Public Managers
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Social Policy ·
Generation Z and Deaths of Despair
SPA professor reviews alarming national suicide trends, including an unprecedented rise among young people, and looks at possible drivers.
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More Resources
SPA Hosts Five Research Journals
SPA now hosts five journals that span public affairs, government, and law subject matter. Our faculty expertise is a draw for these journals, and we are honored to play a leadership role for these excellent publications. Learn more.
SPA Summer Diversity Academy
Scholars underrepresented among public affairs faculty receive quality feedback on research projects and mentoring advice on strategic planning of an academic career.
Communicate Your Findings!
Are you an SPA Faculty member interested in communicating your latest research? Contact Chay Rao, SPA's Director of Strategic Communications & Public Relations, at crao@american.edu.