Conservation in Crisis: The Political Battle Threatening U.S. Biodiversity

As global efforts to safeguard nature intensify, the newest threat is politics. Political shifts increasingly undermine the protections designed to conserve our most vital ecosystems. This study, co-authored by Alex Pfaff, reveals a disturbing trend: political polarization is undermining biodiversity conservation in the United States. As policymakers align with party lines, efforts to protect natural habitats and endangered species are sacrificed to political agendas. The study's stark findings highlight a growing divide between science-based conservation and politically motivated decision-making, jeopardizing the nation's rich ecological heritage.

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How Do We Measure Resistance to Peer Pressure in Vaping?

Vaping continues to rise among children, and researchers hope to understand why. Jennifer Godwin and co-authors examined the role of social influences and resistance to peer influence (RPI) on adolescent vaping behaviors. Using a sample of 891 adolescents, it examines how perceptions of friends' and classmates' vaping, along with RPI, affect vaping nicotine and marijuana among high-school-aged children. Higher RPI at both ages increased the likelihood of abstaining from vaping but didn't affect the frequency of use among those who vaped. Perceived peer vaping—especially friends—was linked to more frequent use. This highlights the importance of understanding social dynamics when addressing teen vaping and developing prevention strategies.

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Well-Intentioned Child Online Safety Legislation Could Cause Harm

The internet is a dangerous place for children. Are lawmakers up to the challenge? This report, co-authored by Robyn Caplan, critically examines the recent wave of legislation designed to safeguard children online. Well-intentioned laws, while aiming to protect children from online harms like mental health issues, sexual exploitation, and addiction, are often fueled more by moral panic than evidence. Such legislation may have unintended consequences, infringing on children's privacy, freedom of expression, and access to valuable online resources, all while failing to adequately address the root causes of the problems they seek to solve. The authors conclude that these laws are a misguided effort to regulate tech companies through poorly crafted legislation and that alternative solutions focusing on comprehensive privacy legislation, data collection limits, and offline support systems are needed.

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Who Is Guiding the Ethics When Private Equity Buys Up Physician Practices?

Private equity's foray into physician practices is raising eyebrows. A new study by Peter Ubel reveals that most medical professional societies lack clear ethical guidelines on private equity acquisition of physician practices. With private equity's growing influence in healthcare, this ethical gap raises concerns about conflicts of interest and patient care quality. The study urges professional societies to step up and provide much-needed ethical guidance for physicians navigating this complex landscape.

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We are hiring! School faculty members continue to earn national and international recognition for excellence in research, policy engagement, and teaching. We are actively searching for tenure-track roles including Assistant Professor in Climate Policy, Associate Professor in Climate Policy, and Chair in Technology Policy. Read more about our faculty community.

Sanford experts are at the forefront of the 2024 policy conversation, and we are highlighting those experts this season with discussions that cover the importance of HBCUs, the racial wealth gap, and the Child Tax Credit. Read more about the latest episodes of Policy 360.

After a meeting with a group of Sanford student leaders, Cheney addressed a larger audience of the Duke community for the news-making Fall 2024 Terry Sanford Distinguished Lecture, kicking off a series of democracy-focused events at Sanford during this 2024 election season. The bold leader recounted her political journey and the choices that she made to defend her country. Learn more about Liz Cheney's visit. 

At a time when political polarization dominates the national conversation, Sanford has launched a new initiative to foster meaningful dialogue. Sanford’s POLIS: Center for Politics kicked off its multipart Bridging the Divide series this month with the first event: a fireside chat with Provost Alec Gallimore and former Republican U.S. Senator Richard Burr. Read more about this conversation and new initiative. 

Susan Colbourn, Associate Research Professor of Public Policy, has been appointed term member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), effective July 2024. The CFR term member program is designed to engage rising leaders in international affairs, providing them with opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional development over a five-year term. Read the announcement. 

Sanford is proud to contribute research expertise and fresh ideas to news reporters and the public in the run-up to the 2024 election. Browse this page to explore policy ideas from our world-class faculty related to the hotly-contested 2024 U.S. presidential race.

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