News


Wed, 11/20/2024

New center at KU to catalyze research on democratic governance

A new research center housed at the Institute for Policy & Social Research at the University of Kansas will advance understanding of democratic governance. The Center for Democratic Governance is led by Christopher Koliba, Edwin O. Stene Distinguished Professor in the School of Public Affairs & Administration.
Thu, 10/10/2024

Kansas Economic Policy Conference to address the future of energy in Kansas

On Oct. 24, the Institute for Policy & Social Research will convene the 2024 Kansas Economic Policy Conference: Powering the Future of Kansas. Every year, the conference brings together community and industry leaders, policymakers, and scholars to discuss an issue of urgent importance to the state.
Tue, 10/08/2024

KU researchers build interactive atlas that gathers Kansas wind energy regulations, information for all 105 counties

The Kansas Energy Transition Atlas is a GIS-powered website that gathers wind energy regulations for all of the state's 105 counties and allows users to find information including laws guiding development and the number of turbines and transmission lines in a county. Users can print their own detailed maps.
Mon, 09/23/2024

EPSCoR-Funded Consortium Deciphers Apprenticeship Data, Strengthening Kansas Workforce Strategy

In a project commissioned by the Department of Commerce, William Duncan, assistant research professor of data science at KU, and several students launched research last year to assess the economic impact of high quality, earn-and-learn registered apprenticeships in Kansas.
Fri, 09/13/2024

58th edition of the Kansas Statistical Abstract now available

The Kansas Statistical Abstract 2023 is now available online. This data compendium is published annually by the Institute for Policy & Social Research at KU. It includes information on a wide range of topics about Kansas, with information in downloadable tables, maps and graphs.
Thu, 09/12/2024

Scholars will present Taylor Swift-themed speaker series at KU

In fall 2024, University of Kansas faculty members and guest speakers will offer insights on their field of expertise using Taylor Swift as a lens. The series opens Sept. 18.
Wed, 08/14/2024

Larger teams in academic research worsen career prospects, study finds

In a new paper, Donna Ginther, the Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor of Economics at the University of Kansas, reveals that individuals who finish their doctorate in situations where the average team in their field is larger have worse career options.
Wed, 07/31/2024

New dashboard shows the scope and uses of federal funding streams in Kansas

The Institute for Policy & Social Research at the University of Kansas published a new data dashboard showing the flow of federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into Kansas. As of March 2024, over $11.5 billion has been expended across the state through programs funded by the CARES Act and ARPA.
Thu, 05/23/2024

New grant will fund study on preemption's effects on health, economic disparities in Kansas City

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute’s Policies for Action program has awarded more than $382,000 to researchers at KU and the National Academy of Public Administration for a study of how preemptive public policies may contribute to economic insecurity and health inequities in the Kansas City area.
Thu, 02/22/2024

New NSF grant to fund water management data ecosystem in Kansas

The National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator has awarded $650,000 to a team led by KU scientists to develop a water data dashboard for local government officials and state government agencies.
Mon, 10/16/2023

Kansas Economic Policy Conference to address urgent workforce needs

LAWRENCE — Each year, the Kansas Economic Policy Conference convenes community and industry leaders, policymakers and scholars. On Oct. 19, the conference will address workforce needs for Kansas. ...

Tue, 09/12/2023

New Kansas Statistical Abstract offers relevant state information, including expanded data on climate

Mon, 04/17/2023

KU researcher leading project to quantify care economy, make stats available in central location

LAWRENCE — People might not often think of work done in the home as part of the larger economy. But a University of Kansas professor is leading a new project to collect data on the care economy to quantify the often underrecognized work of providing care for others and make...

Wed, 03/22/2023

Research on broadband in Kansas recommends statewide strategy to improve infrastructure

Tue, 01/10/2023

New research shows a rural-urban divide in access, affordability and satisfaction with broadband in Kansas

Thu, 10/20/2022

Two KU Programs Win University Economic Development Association Awards

Two University of Kansas programs recently won University Economic Development Association Awards of Excellence at the 2022 UEDA Annual Summit. Haskell Environmental Research Studies Institute was named category leader in Talent, and the Center for Digital Inclusion Evidence-based Technology Education for Women Transitioning from Incarceration was named category leader in...

Wed, 10/19/2022

Kansas Economic Policy Conference to Explore Policies for Economic Resilience

The 2022 Kansas Economic Policy Conference will explore “Building a Resilient Kansas Economy.” Taking place Oct. 27 at the Burge Union on the University of Kansas Lawrence campus with a livestream option, the conference brings together community leaders, policymakers and subject matter experts to consider timely and relevant questions. ...

Tue, 09/27/2022

New Consortium to Improve Data Science Across Kansas

To expand the state's data science capabilities, the National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research awarded funding earlier this year to a team of researchers and educators from across Kansas. The Kansas Data Science Consortium will incorporate real-world data sets into student learning, and it is seeking community...

Mon, 09/05/2022

New BLS Questions Will Address Telework

The Bureau of Labor Statistics will stop asking supplemental questions about COVID to gauge its impact on the labor market, and it will start asking about telework. ...

Fri, 09/02/2022

Kansas Statistical Abstract 56th Edition Features Timely and Relevant Information for Kansans

The newest edition of the Kansas Statistical Abstract is now available on the Institute for Policy & Social Research website. This rich resource contains information on the Sunflower State on a variety of topics ranging from agriculture to transportation. ...

Wed, 08/31/2022

Sloan Foundation Grant to Support Indigenous Graduate Students in Stem Programs at KU, Haskell

A joint project of the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University was selected to receive a $500,000 seed grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Indigenous Graduate Partnership. This project will support Indigenous students pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degrees. The project aims to increase the...

Wed, 08/03/2022

Haskell Indian Nations University Receives $20 Million NSF Research Grant for Indigenous Science Hub

Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland today announced that Haskell Indian Nations University, a Bureau of Indian Education-operated Tribal University in Lawrence, Kansas, is the recipient of a $20 million award from the National Science Foundation for an Indigenous science hub project. Funded under the American Rescue Plan Act...

Thu, 07/28/2022

KU Researchers Part of Program to Give Communities Equal Voice in Switch to Renewable Energy

Researchers from the University of Kansas are part of a multi-institutional partnership to help ensure the United States’ ongoing transition to renewable energy and low-carbon technologies is just and provides equity and opportunities for communities on the front lines of the climate crisis. ...

Thu, 07/21/2022

Access to Food Assistance Program Curbs Child Maltreatment, Study Finds

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps offset the costs for families who face food insecurity. It’s one of the most frequently accessed public programs, aiding more than 43 million people each month. But SNAP also provides an unanticipated benefit: preventing child maltreatment. ...

Thu, 07/21/2022

Access to food assistance program curbs child maltreatment, study finds

LAWRENCE — The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps offset the costs for families who face food insecurity. It’s one of the most frequently accessed public programs, aiding more than 43 million people each month. But SNAP also provides an unanticipated benefit: preventing child maltreatment. ...

Tue, 06/21/2022

Tulsa’s Jazz-Style Evolution on Flood Control Shows Importance of Collaboration, Empathy, Study Says

Tulsa may not be the first town one thinks of when talking about jazz, and flood management may not be the first vocation one compares to the musical genre. But the success Tulsa displayed in going from one of the nation’s most flood-prone cities to a nationally recognized model of...

Wed, 04/20/2022

KU Researchers to Analyze How Climate Change Intersects with Race, Inequality, Health Outcomes

 As climate change causes extreme temperatures, droughts, poor air quality, flooding and sea level rise, health outcomes for people living in affected areas suffer.
Fri, 04/08/2022

Governor’s Council on Tax Reform Recommends Immediate End to State Sales Tax on Groceries

The Governor’s Council on Tax Reform has published its final report, which strongly advocates for an immediate end to the state sales tax on groceries and the restoration of a more diversified and balanced tax base.
Tue, 03/01/2022

Donna Ginther awarded Regents Distinguished Professorship

The Kansas Board of Regents has named an accomplished economics scholar at KU as its next Regents Distinguished Professor. Donna Ginther, Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor of economics and director of the Institute for Policy & Social Research, earned the new title at February’s Kansas Board of Regents meeting. The...

Wed, 02/02/2022

COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbates Economic Inequities for Women in Kansas, New Research Shows

New research from the University of Kansas Institute for Policy & Social Research, commissioned by United Women's Empowerment, shows that existing inequities for Kansas women in the workforce have increased since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. ...

Media Contacts

Carolyn Caine

Institute for Policy & Social Research

785-864-9102