The Latin American Elections Hub: A New Window on Democracy at the University of Michigan
April 23, 2026
Bridging Continents Through Electoral AnalysisAt a moment when democratic institutions face mounting pressure across the globe, the University of Michigan has become home to a new initiative designed to sharpen Americans’ understanding of politics in Latin America. The Latin American Elections Hub (LATAM-EH), founded by Edgar Franco-Vivanco, assistant professor of…
Nicholas Valentino Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
April 23, 2026
Nicholas Valentino, the Donald R. Kinder Collegiate Professor of Political Science and Research Professor in the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan, is among the 252 leaders chosen for the 2026 class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.Nicholas Valentino currently serves as a PI of…
States of Distrust: Science and Politics in America
April 16, 2026
James Druckman presented the Center for Political Studies 2026 Miller-Converse Lecture At the University of Michigan’s most distinguished lecture series on American electoral politics, political scientist James N. Druckman presented a striking feature of US partisanship in the 21st century: Americans are more polarized in their trust in scientists than…
Voters credit governors—not Biden White House—for clean energy projects
March 1, 2026
The Biden administration’s historic multibillion-dollar investment in clean energy and manufacturing transformed local economies across the United States—but it does not translate into political credit for the White House policymakers behind these reforms.Instead, voters overwhelmingly attribute new clean energy projects to their governors, say researchers from the University of Michigan,…
The Research Center for Group Dynamics & the Origins of Network Analysis
February 27, 2026
Postwar Researchers at U-M made groundbreaking discoveries around how relationships work that continue to help us understand society today“A told B, and B told C, I’ll meet you at the top of a coconut tree.” The opening lines of a classic children’s verse deliver a bouncy lesson in letters to tiny…
Christian Davenport to Present Distinguished University Professors Lecture
February 5, 2026
CPS affiliate Christian Davenport will deliver a Distinguished University Professors Lecture on Feb. 11, at 4 p.m.Sponsored by the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost, this event features three Distinguished University Professors speaking on their professional and scholarly experiences. Each concise lecture will be followed by…
City council meetings amplify broader civic voices
February 3, 2026
City council public comment periods may focus on local issues, such as housing and public services. But new research from the University of Michigan shows they also serve as powerful forums for expressing broader societal concerns, including democracy, equity and social justice.The study analyzed nearly 1,560 public comments delivered during…
DMACS marks 10 years of listening to Detroiters for shared impact
October 20, 2025
Imagine if decisions about schools, housing and public safety in your city were shaped by your experiences and input, not just the loudest voices at city council meetings. Thanks to the University of Michigan’s Detroit Metro Area Communities Study, or DMACS, that vision is becoming a reality.The surveys and data…
Conspiracy content drives anti-establishment sentiment on TikTok, YouTube
September 24, 2025
People actively seeking conspiracy content involving anti-establishment sentiment—distrust in institutions like the media or health care—will find it regularly on TikTok and YouTube.This sentiment rarely appears in finance, wellness or the general For You Page (which tailors the user’s feed to their interests), which means casual users are unlikely to…
Walter Mebane announced winner of Best Statistical Software Award
September 22, 2025
Walter Mebane (along with Jas Sekhon) has been announced as the winner of the Best Statistical Software Award by the Political Methodology Section of APSA. The award is for genoud (Genetic Optimization using Derivatives), a free software package that Walter and Jas developed. Congratulations, Walter!