Political Science
Hosted virtually at Duke between May 17-20, this version of the annual Frontiers of Political Science conference scholars from all around the world debated some of the main issues affecting parties and party systems in Latin America. In most Latin American countries, parties are confronted with even more skepticism, cynicism and mistrust than parties in other regions of the world. As a consequence, political parties in much of Latin America have been highly fragile, volatile vehicles of political mobilization. This… read more about Frontiers in Political Science: Latin American Party Systems Conference »
This month, we present a collection of eight Duke-authored books covering a range of environmental topics including sea-level rise, species protection, renewable energy, and the ocean floor. These books, along with many others, are available at Duke University Libraries, the Gothic Bookshop or the Regulator Bookshop. Sea Level Rise by Orrin Pilkey "Sea Level Rise" lays out the consequences… read more about Eight Duke-Authored Books on the Environment »
A new Trinity College of Arts & Sciences program offering peer mentoring to Ph.D. students in their first, second or third year at Duke will begin hosting meetings this fall, and has selected the inaugural class of fellows to lead those groups. Designed as small, interdisciplinary mentoring groups each facilitated by a peer fellow, the program aims to help students flourish in their respective doctoral programs – providing a confidential space to navigate frustrations, offering a diversity of perspectives, encouraging… read more about Trinity Launches Peer Mentoring Program for Early-Stage PhD Students »
Our long-time colleague and friend, Bill Keech, passed away, surrounded by family. Our thoughts are with his wife, Sharon, his daughter Sarah, his son Dan, his daughter-in-law, Cindy, his three grandchildren, Cody, Tommy, and KC, and Bill’s many friends. He was a giant in our discipline, a remarkable intellect, and one of the kindest and generous people one could know. We will all miss him deeply. Georg Vanberg William Robertson Keech (“… read more about In Memory of Bill Keech »
The National Science Foundation presents the Alan Waterman Award, the government’s highest honor for an early career scientist or engineer, to only two researchers every year. This year, both winners are part of the Duke community. The award will be shared by Nicholas Carnes, the Creed C. Black Associate Professor of Public Policy and Political Science in the Sanford School of Public Policy, and Duke alumna Melanie Wood, a mathematician at Harvard University. Both will receive a five-year $1 million research grant. Duke… read more about Duke Faculty Member, Alumna Win Nation's Highest Honor for Early-Career Scientists and Engineers »
Six members of the Class of 2022 have been named to the inaugural class of Nakayama Scholars. Juniors Sydney Albert, Carlee Goldberg, Erica Langan, Yi Xian “Lyndon” Lee, Ahn-Huy Nguyen, and Micalyn Struble were chosen for their stellar academics, leadership and demonstrated commitment to a career in public service. The Nakayama Public Service Scholarship is part of the university’s efforts to encourage students to use their Duke experience to engage with the large challenges facing communities around the world. The… read more about Six Students Named Inaugural Nakayama Public Service Scholars »
DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke University junior Carlee Goldberg is among 62 students selected nationally as 2021 Truman Scholars. The scholarship is a memorial to President Harry S. Truman. Students from every state are selected based on their leadership potential, high academic achievement and a commitment to careers in public service and advocacy. The Truman Scholarship Foundation received 845 nominations from 328 colleges and universities. Each new Truman Scholar receives funding for graduate studies, leadership training… read more about Duke University Junior Named a Truman Scholar »
Editor's Note: A previous version of this article mentioned Grace Musila as another hire resulting from this search, selected to join the English Department. Due to a series of unanticipated circumstances and ongoing responsibilities she has in her current role with the Department of African Literature at the University of Witwatersrand, Musila will not be joining Duke this fall. A respected scholar of the political economy, Eric Mvukiyehe, will join the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences… read more about Expert on Africa to Join Trinity Faculty »
Before Donald Trump’s surprise election in 2016, students in Ian MacMullen’s politics classes listened with a collective shrug when he talked about forms of government other than democracy. No longer. Faculty who teach about politics and public policy say four years of a chaotic, unorthodox presidency has exposed democracy’s fragility. Free speech, the Constitution, trust in government leaders, etc. all took a sucker punch under Trump. But in classrooms that challenge undergraduates to think critically about democracy,… read more about Understanding Democracy's Frailties »
Before Donald Trump’s surprise election in 2016, students in Ian MacMullen’s politics classes listened with a collective shrug when he talked about forms of government other than democracy. No longer. Faculty who teach about politics and public policy say four years of a chaotic, unorthodox presidency has exposed democracy’s fragility. Free speech, the Constitution, trust in government leaders, etc. all took a sucker punch under Trump. But in classrooms that challenge undergraduates to think critically about democracy,… read more about Teaching Democracy in a Moment of Political Crisis »
The Duke Graduate School has an annual tradition of celebrating the contributions of graduate students. Each spring, the Graduate School organizes activities to help students socialize, expand personal growth, and get access to tools for professional development. This year, the Graduate School encouraged departments and schools to create thank you videos to highlight this extraordinary period of life and the students who challenge themselves to become experts in their fields of study. We made this… read more about Graduate Student Appreciation Week »
A group of Duke researchers wrote an article for the Washington Post discussing their work on what happens when people are deported from the United States. The authors include David Dow, a postdoc in Political Science; Mateo Villamizar Chaparro, a graduate student in Political Science; and Erik Wibbels, the Robert O. Keohane Professor of Political Science. read more about Biden Wants to Halt Deportations. Here’s What Happens When Migrants Are Sent Back. »
This month, we present a collection of 12 Duke-authored books documenting women's contributions to history, culture and society. These books, along with many others, are available at Duke University Libraries, the Gothic Bookshop or the Regulator Bookshop. Women and the War Story by Miriam Cooke In “Women and the War Story,” Professor Emerita miriam cooke charts the emerging tradition of women’s contributions to what she calls the “War Story,” a genre formerly… read more about 12 Duke-Authored Books on Women's History »
The seventh annual Duke Graduate Conference in Political Theory, which will take place over Zoom on February 26 from 9:30 am to 5:15 pm EST. The conference schedule and papers are available here. All panels are open to the public. To receive a zoom link, please register for the conference here. Melissa Lane, the Class of 1943 Professor of Politics at Princeton University and director of the University Center for Human Values, will serve as the keynote speaker for the conference. Her keynote… read more about Seventh Annual Graduate Conference in Political Theory »
More than 1,000 Duke students from across the globe logged on to Zoom over the first two weeks of January to participate in an academic gateway for students of any major to explore new topics in a short form and without the pressure of grades Open to all Duke students- undergraduates, graduates, and professionals, Winter Breakaway offered 13 different programs focusing on topics including computational thinking, mindfulness, policies in the technology sector, intercultural competencies and navigating difficult… read more about Students Find Interdisciplinary Exploration and Connection in Winter Breakaway Courses »
Paul D. McClain, James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Political Science, joined PBS NewsHour to discuss the challenges Joe Biden will face as president. “Our democracy is not only fragile, but it can be destroyed in a flash,” she said. “How do you get people to believe in this idea of democracy again?” read more about Biden Inherits a Deeply Divided Nation, but Most Voters Think He Will Bring Unity »