humanities and social sciences

Jan 13, 2010

NC State Research May Help States Address Unfunded Retiree Liabilities

Research shows that, nationally, states are facing more than $550 billion in unfunded liabilities associated with health care and other non-pension benefits for retired state employees, a situation many states are now struggling to fix. New research from North Carolina State University has identified a number of trends that are consistent among those states with… 

Dec 9, 2009

Debunking Fears: Latino Growth Does Not Boost Crime

Rural industries, such as meat-packing and textile manufacturing, create job opportunities that have brought significant numbers of Latino workers and their families to small- and medium-sized towns. This influx of Latino migrants is often met with resistance from other residents, who fear increases in crime and poverty rates. But a new study from North Carolina… 

Dec 3, 2009

New Data Support Use Of Instant Run-Off Voting

New data collected as part of a North Carolina State University study during the 2009 municipal election in Hendersonville, N.C., show that voters prefer instant run-off voting (IRV) to traditional voting – a finding that may build support for IRV. The use of IRV precludes the need for a second run-off election, saving voters time… 

Nov 4, 2009

Chart Junk? How Pictures May Help Make Graphs Better

Those oft-maligned, and highly embellished, graphs and charts in USA Today and other media outlets may actually help people understand data more effectively than traditional graphs, according to new research from North Carolina State University. 

Oct 5, 2009

Post-Racial? NC State Expert Weighs In On the Current State of Race Relations

Many pundits professed the dawn of a “post-racial” era following the election of Barack Obama as the first African-American president. But race and interracial relations still stir deep emotions in the public and in the press. Evidence includes the recent furor over President Carter’s recent comments suggesting race is contributing to criticism of Obama’s presidential… 

Sep 22, 2009

NC State Hosts Janet Cowell for Series Talk

NC State Preview What: In the inaugural session of its new “Conversations with State Leaders” series, North Carolina State University will host a talk by State Treasurer Janet Cowell. Who:  Presented by NC State’s School of Public and International Affairs. When: Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 5 p.m. Where: Caldwell Hall Lounge on the NC State campus.… 

Sep 16, 2009

Lessons for Obama in Study of Bush Efforts to ‘Frame’ Iraq War

Wartime leaders have long sought to sway public opinion by “framing” bad news from the frontlines. They present inconvenient facts in an altered format in order to generate support for their policies. A new study from North Carolina State University shows that Bush administration attempts to “frame” casualties from the Iraq War bolstered support for… 

Sep 14, 2009

What Did You Learn to be in School Today?

Filling the pipeline with the next generation of chemists, engineers and rocket scientists isn’t easy. New research at North Carolina State University hopes to drive U.S. students to careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as STEM. 

Sep 8, 2009

Study: Parenthood Makes Moms More Liberal, Dads More Conservative

Parenthood is pushing mothers and fathers in opposite directions on political issues associated with social welfare, from health care to education, according to new research from North Carolina State University. “Parenthood seems to heighten the political ‘gender gap,’ with women becoming more liberal and men more conservative when it comes to government spending on social… 

Sep 3, 2009

NC State Expert Can Discuss Importance of Labor Day During Recession

As American workers are faced with the “Great Recession” of the 21st century, how are they faring this first Labor Day under President Barack Obama? Labor historian and North Carolina State University professor Dr. David Zonderman can provide historical perspective on this and other questions on the labor movement in the United States. Other questions… 

Sep 2, 2009

Army Gen. H.R. McMaster to Speak on Evolution of Iraq Conflict

NC State Preview Events at NC State University For use by the media as calendar-of-events items or for information What:  North Carolina State University will be host to Army Brig. Gen. H.R. McMaster, who will speak on the evolution of the conflict in Iraq from 2003-2009. McMaster is director of concept development and experimentation at the Army… 

Sep 1, 2009

Speaking In Tongues: Language, Culture and the Future of the Military

North Carolina State University has received a grant that will make it a hub for teaching future military leaders the language and cultural skills they will need to address conflict in critical parts of the world, from Eastern Europe to the Middle East. NC State will use the grant to create intensive language training courses that… 

Aug 18, 2009

How Schools, Parents Can Work Together For Successful Kids

It is widely understood that, ideally, schools and parents should work together to ensure that children can succeed as students and citizens. But what is the right balance? And how much do teachers want parents involved in the classroom?  A new study from North Carolina State University identifies ways that schools and communities can work… 

Aug 17, 2009

Study Highlights Hurdles Facing Women, Minorities in Job Market

A new study from North Carolina State University shows that white men receive significantly more tips about job opportunities than women and racial minorities – particularly among people in upper management positions – highlighting racial and gender inequality in the labor market. “Our research shows that 95 times out of 100, white men receive more… 

Jul 30, 2009

Grant Funds Program on Politics, Law and the Economy

North Carolina State University has received a five-year, $700,000 grant from the John W. Pope Foundation to support teaching and research activities on issues relating to public policy, politics, economics and law. The funding is an extension of a previous grant from the Pope Foundation, and will continue to fund the university’s “Economic, Legal and…