Political Science and Public Policy

Hunter Bacot, an associate professor of political science and director of the Elon University Poll, was interviewed twice by News 14 Carolina in recent days about the latest poll findings on issues ranging from President Barack Obama's approval ratings in North Carolina and how residents feel about same-sex marriage.

Half of North Carolinians oppose a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages in the Tar Heel State, according to the latest Elon University Poll, but just one fifth of respondents support full marriage rights for gays and lesbians.

Elon University senior Victoria “Tori” Davis has been named the recipient of a DACOR Bacon House Foundation fellowship for graduate study in international affairs, a $10,000 award that will assist her this fall as she begins work toward a doctorate in political science en route to a career with the U.S. Foreign Service.

More than half of North Carolinians are unaware that state laws exist to allow public access to government records, according to the latest Elon University Poll, but nearly all respondents feel democracy is best when it operates openly.

A majority of North Carolinians favor laws to ban cell phone use while driving, even though more than half of mobile phone users report doing this regularly, according to the latest Elon University Poll. Respondents to the poll also supported a statewide ban on smoking in public places.

The Elon University Model United Nations Society participated over the weekend in a crisis simulation organized by the Princeton University International Relations Club.

North Carolinians are feeling the effects of the recession and 42 percent of respondents in the latest Elon University Poll identified the economy as the most important issue facing the state today. While a majority of respondents are united in their views on the federal stimulus package, as well as the steps needed to address state finances, they oppose cuts in sectors like education and public safety, and they support efforts to raise revenue through “sin taxes.”

Political science & public administration major Kristine Elizabeth Silvestri has been named a finalist for a 2009 Truman Scholarship, a prestigious national fellowship for graduate study awarded annually “to persons who demonstrate outstanding potential for and who plan to pursue a career in public service.”

A number of Elon faculty took part in the annual International Studies Association (ISA) meeting held in New York from February 14-19. ISA has more than 4,000 members worldwide and is the most respected and widely known scholarly association in the field.

Kerstin Sorensen, an assistant professor of political science, presented a paper at the Feb. 15-18, 2009, International Studies Association's Annual Convention in New York City.