Research

Learn more about research by School of Public Affairs faculty.

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:

Jane Palmer

Criminology ·

"Survivor-Defined Justice"

SPA professor explores the civil legal needs of sexual assault survivors.
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Lynn Addington

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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TaLisa Carter

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:

Thomas Zeitzoff & Grace Gold

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:

Anna Amirkhanyan and William G. Prince

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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Jessica Waters and Madelyn Adams

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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Ken Meier (left) & Austin McCrea (right)

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:

Joe Young

Homeland Security Policy ·

Understanding Paths to Peace

SPA Professor Examines the Drivers and Outcomes of Terrorism and International Conflict
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Youth Attitudes on Guns

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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Thomas Zeitzoff

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:

Denmark Conference

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:

Anna Amirkhanyan and Ken Meier

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:

Thomas Zeitzoff

Political Science ·

Tracing the Roots of Antisemitism

SPA professor explores the relationship between education and prejudice across countries.
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Candice Nelson & James Thurber

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:

David Schwegman

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.
Full Story


Public Management and Leadership

Latest research in Public Management and Leadership:

The Oxford Handbook of Governance and Public Management for Social Policy

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:

TaLisa Carter

Social Policy ·

Skin in the Game

SPA professor and alumna examine how skin tone impacts perceptions of physical attraction.
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Nathan Favero

Social Policy ·

Why Does Race Matter?

SPA Professor Examines Representation Outcomes and the Beliefs of Public Managers
Full Story

Dave Marcotte

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.
Full Story

More Resources

stacked journals

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.

Learn More

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.