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Columbia University's faculty and researchers do academic work on current issues related to the 2020 elections. This site will highlight some of that work and offer a way for journalists to search for Columbia University experts for their reporting.

LATEST NEWS

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Healing the Red-Blue Divide

Peter T. Coleman, an expert on conflict resolution, offers a new perspective on the ideological tensions that he says are tearing the US apart.

An illustration of two people (one blue and one red) arguing with arrows being flung from either side
Political Polarization: Often Not as Bad as We Think

A new study from Mailman School of Public researchers reveals that people often exaggerate political differences and negative feelings of those on the opposite side of the political divide.

A photo of a computer keyboard with one key that looks like the Russian flag and the other saying "Fake News"
How to Combat Russian Disinformation in the U.S. Presidential Election

Thomas Kent thinks we should focus on ads and news coverage about what each candidate would do if elected.

VOTING/POLLING

An image of a man with grey hair wearing a blue shirt and tie pointing to a screen in front of students
DSI Member Andrew Gelman Designs Presidential Forecast for The Economist
A close-up image of a "Federal Elections Committee" logo on a wall
We Need the FEC, and We Need It Now
A screenshot of a title card before a Columbia Law election event called "The 2020 Elections: Defending Democracy and Voting Rights"
Overcoming a ‘Once-in-a-Generation Crisis’ to Hold Fair Elections

 

“If you believe in freedom of speech and open debate, and you believe in a democratic system of self-government, you have to have a vote. You have to have some way in which to manifest the public will.”

—Lee C. Bollinger, President, Columbia University and co-chair, the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Committee on the Future of Voting

PUBLIC HEALTH

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Will the COVID-19 Virus Become Endemic?
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New University Initiative Works With Students to Organize Gun Violence Action Week
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Considering the Rash of Coronavirus-Related Bigotry

EDUCATION

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Rethinking Education Leadership, Policy, & Politics in Uncertain Times: A Conversation with Sonya Douglass Horsford
An image of a woman with long dark hair and glasses teaching a student to play the violin
Teaching Music Online When Kids Lack Instruments and Internet Access

ENVIRONMENT

An image of a man with brown hair wearing a suit testifying before Congress and has his name card in front of him saying "Dr. Horton."
Lamont Climatologist Testifies on Capitol Hill About Sea Level Rise
A picture of wind turbines with a pink and orange background and a circle that looks like the sun with the text "Covering Climate Now"
The Climate Crisis Is an Emergency, Not an ‘Issue’
A photo of a woman in a purple parka standing next to a red plane on ice and snow.
Robin Bell Goes to Washington to Testify About Melting Ice Sheets

DOMESTIC POLICY

An image of a police officer in full riot gear pointing a gun towards the camera at night.
Protest, the Press, and the First Amendment Imperiled
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Elora Mukherjee: A Champion of Immigrants’ Rights
An illustration of a man being watched by many shadowy people and one shadow wraps around his leg.
Parole and Probation Reform in the COVID-19 Era

ECONOMY

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Priorities for the COVID-19 Economy
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How to Contain the Economic Fallout From COVID-19

FOREIGN POLICY

An image of a woman with light hair wearing a colorful jacket speaking in front of a United Nations logo background.
Silence Is Not an Option
An image of a man with dark hair with a little bit of grey wearing a grey blazer and light blue buttoned down shirt
Can America’s Global Leadership Survive?

ALUMNI VOICES

On Voting During a Pandemic

Voting rights expert Myrna Pérez (Columbia Law ’03) says voters need “lots of options” to make sure everyone can cast a ballot safely, in person or otherwise.

An Election Fraught Like No Other

Michael Waldman (CC '82), a constitutional lawyer, discusses voting rights with Columbia College Today.