Forming opinions and making decisions are the cornerstones of democracy. At the Penn Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies (PORES), students are participating in timely, insightful research on these topics as they learn how to use data analytics tools that have application in nearly every field.
“Data is everywhere, and it is increasingly proliferating through the advertising we see, the news we listen to, and how we communicate with one another,” says John Lapinski, Robert A. Fox Leadership Professor of Political Science at Penn Arts & Sciences and Director of PORES. “Our faculty members are committed to educating and mentoring students on how to understand, analyze, and use data responsibly.”
Since high school, Matt Garber, C’21, had been curious about the intersection of math, statistics, and politics, and PORES has given him the chance to explore his interests, pursuing work that challenges common assumptions. “Campaigns take the idea of voter turnout influencing elections for granted and spend a lot of money on registration drives,” Garber says. “But in analyzing the 2012 and 2016 elections, we found that turnout shifts played less of a role than persuasion. It will be interesting to see if that holds up this year.”
Data literacy is one of the most important things we can foster in society. No matter how smart you are, you can be misled when people throw numbers at you. PORES teaches us how healthy skepticism of data can lead to insightful, and sometimes surprising analysis.”
Matt Garber, C’21
Janelle Schneider, C’21, spent the summer researching how opinions on COVID were impacted by political affiliation, like when and why adhering to public health guidelines and wearing masks became politicized. “It is empowering to study phenomena that we see having direct consequences in the moment,” Schneider says.
For Schneider, intentionality is key to what makes PORES special. “The faculty members are proactive in terms of mentoring and helping students learn how to better understand and interpret data,” Schneider says. “PORES teaches students how to conduct rigorous research that is fulfilling, and participating in this meaningful and impactful work has enriched my Penn experience.”
As a young adult, my experience of our political culture is one of rampant polarization. Through PORES, we can understand why this happens and what the effects are—from how we manage our own health to the level of empathy and respect we have for others.”
Janelle Schneider, C’21
A priority of The Power of Penn Arts & Sciences Campaign is to raise support for academic centers, like PORES, that give students opportunities to refine their researching prowess while analyzing and actively participating in the most pressing issues of our time. While this year’s election will offer fertile ground for study, Lapinski wants to ensure that PORES’ mission remains rooted in the timeless quality of how it educates students.
“From its roots, Penn has encouraged students to take the theoretical and apply it practically,” Lapinski says. “At PORES, we are fully invested in our students and their development as responsible scholars and citizens. We give them the tools and the guidance to work toward answering these large, fundamental questions about society and how we relate to one another. And we’re always thrilled by the gifts and perspectives they bring to the table.”
