Research Analysis
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Can Minimum Pricing Combat Alcohol Abuse? Evidence from Canada
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When thinking about “dangerous drugs,” illicit substances such as heroin and cocaine usually come to mind. However, there is compelling evidence that alcohol is substantially more harmful to society than illegal drugs; alcohol is the third leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S., behind only tobacco and poor diet. According to the World Health…
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Mapping the Opioid Epidemic through Integrated HIV Modelling in Rural Indiana
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Roughly two years prior to becoming Vice President of the United States, then Governor Mike Pence declared a public health emergency in Indiana. Amid the statewide opioid crisis, and fueled by heightened levels of poverty, Scott County experienced one of the largest known AIDS outbreaks in U.S. history. One community of less…
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What is an Ideal Framework to Regulate Exploration in Space?
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When President Obama signed the SPACE Act on November 20, 2015, the U.S. government officially recognized a vision of the future that could previously only be found in the pages of science fiction. Section 51303 of the Act declared: “A United States citizen engaged in commercial recovery of an asteroid…
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The Mixed Effects of Tasers in Civilian-Police Encounters
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In the early 2000s, police departments across the U.S. began deploying Tasers—devices that deliver an electric current to incapacitate targets—as an alternative use-of-force against civilians. The Taser was considered a non-lethal alternative to firearms and promised increased safety for officers in situations that normally require more physical contact. While outcomes…
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Major Choices: What Pushes Women Out of STEM Fields?
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Although women have entered the workforce and obtained degrees in higher education in increasing numbers over the past several decades, the wage disparity between genders persists. This phenomenon can be partially explained by differences in choices of college majors: women tend to choose majors associated with lower-paying jobs, such as…
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The Economic Impact of Place-Based Scholarships in Public School Districts
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Since the introduction of the Kalamazoo Public School District’s Promise Scholarship Program in 2005, public school districts across the country have announced similar initiatives, offering college scholarships for students who have attended its public schools for a set period of time. Because they are place-based, Promise programs incentivize families with…
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A New Warfront: North Korea’s Cyber Threats
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In November 2011, a group of hackers called Guardians of Peace (GOP) attacked Sony Pictures networks in condemnation of The Interview, a satirical movie which targets Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea. Despite the GOP claiming itself to be unaffiliated with the government, an FBI investigation revealed that the North…
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The Role of Climate Change in Africa’s Urbanization
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Globalization and structural changes in African economies are contributing to rapid urbanization—with 50 percent of the population predicted to live in urban areas by 2030, compared to 36 percent in 2010. Simultaneously, climate change is projected to have significant impacts on the African landscape with decreased precipitation, increased aridity, and…
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Freedom of Information in Mexico: Not So Free
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The Freedom of Information Act in Mexico—also known as FOIA—provides a process for citizens to gain access to information about the way their society is working. Ideally, these requests are fulfilled without regard to the political power of the person making them, and thereby serve to increase transparency in governance.…
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Nutritional Effects of Food Deserts: A Story of Supply or Demand
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Despite possessing over one-third of the world’s wealth, America suffers from higher poverty rates and worse health outcomes than other wealthy countries. Poor health outcomes are not felt equally across the country but, rather, are disproportionately concentrated in the poorest neighborhoods. One potential reason for this inequality is that low-income…
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The Conservation Effects of a Variable Tax on Groundwater Withdrawal
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In the United States, water resources have been historically plentiful, and groundwater consumption is generally not well-managed. However, as demand increases and the effects of climate change strain groundwater resources, the need to monitor consumption habits rises. Policymakers must undertake the challenge of striking a balance between economic performance of…