Expert: Student loan forgiveness is a win - but only for some

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced a student loan debt program that would forgive $10,000 in debt for borrowers who earn less than $125,000 and an additional $10,000 for those who received Pell Grants. Many borrowers are celebrating the liberation from debt that — for some — has prevented them...

By J.D. Warren | | Social Science / Education

This is the dawning of the age of the vaccine passport

The vaccine passport is coming. The likelihood of a “passport” being required — or perhaps just requested — for travel, and to return to school and work, seems a certainty. New York state is testing a smartphone app that would verify vaccine status for entry into events. IBM is developing...

By UCR News | | Social Science / Education

UCR poll: 'If it's Trump vs. Newsom, Newsom wins'

A poll of UC Riverside social sciences professors holds that Gov. Gavin Newsom should prevail in the current recall effort against him. Two committees, RescueCalifornia.org and RecallGavin2020.com, have launched efforts to gain 1.5 million signatures to put a Newsom recall on the ballot. The deadline for submitting signatures is March...

By J.D. Warren | | Social Science / Education

Navigating the $1.9 trillion stimulus

March 8, President Biden was set to sign into law the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus that will provide $1,400 checks to millions of low- and middle-income Americans, new child tax benefits, and extend unemployment payments. It also includes a restaurant rescue fund, money for reopening schools...

'I know that we're going to get through it'

As election day morphs into election days, UC Riverside’s students are like voters red and blue alike: seeking comfort where they can find it. “I think everyone wanted a definite result. We did not get that,” said political scientist Shaun Bowler. In a Zoom session on Wednesday morning, more than...

SoCal residents split on vaccine, not on presidency

Southern Californians are on board with masks and willing to sacrifice dollars for health. Those are a couple samplings from the findings of a new survey conducted by UCR’s Center for Social Innovation and the Southern California News Group. The residents polled split on a vaccine, with only 48% saying...

By J.D. Warren | | Social Science / Education

Political scientists make battleground state predictions

UC Riverside political science professors were polled on their predictions for eight battleground states, and the results carry some optimism for the Joe Biden camp.

By J.D. Warren | | Social Science / Education

Anxious about the election? Political Scientists explain why

As American voters wrestle with record-setting anxiety leading up to Nov. 3, forthcoming UCR research says Democratic voters are feeling more angst.

By J.D. Warren | | Social Science / Education

Voters and multiracial candidates? It's complicated

There is a whole new dynamic that pundits, campaign managers, and voters will be negotiating in American politics, and the starting gun has already been fired. That is, the complicated — so says the research — dynamic of how voters regard multiracial candidates. On the national stage, it began with...

By J.D. Warren | | Social Science / Education

UCR experts say Harris brings credibility - and baggage

Universally, UC Riverside faculty members noted the historic significance of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris as Joe Biden’s vice-presidential running mate. Many felt the decision was the right one — and some offered qualifiers in their assessment of her selection. In the moments following Biden’s announcement on Aug. 11, UCR political...

By J.D. Warren | | Social Science / Education