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Annenberg Public Policy Center

APPC Visiting Scholar John Gastil on democracy and digital media

APPC Visiting Scholar John Gastil on democracy and digital media

Gastil, the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) distinguished sabbatical scholar in residence, has been working on a book titled “The Democracy Machine: Reimagining How We Can Govern Ourselves Online.” His sabbatical from teaching political science and communication arts and sciences at Penn State allows time to research the “potential for a strong, positive relationship between digital technology and democratic reform.”

Awareness grows of cancer risk from alcohol consumption

Awareness grows of cancer risk from alcohol consumption

Public awareness of the link between drinking alcohol and an elevated risk of cancer has grown since last fall, with more than half of Americans now saying that regularly consuming alcohol increases your chances of later developing cancer, according to a survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center. The survey was fielded following the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on alcohol and cancer risk in January, calling for updated warning labels on alcoholic beverage containers.

‘I Will Vote’: Using future-oriented frames to motivate voters
A person affixes an I VOTED sticker to their t-shirt.

Image: kali9 via Getty Images

‘I Will Vote’: Using future-oriented frames to motivate voters

A new paper from Penn’s Annenberg Public Policy Center examines whether “I Voted” stickers influence people’s voting intentions, and whether different language choices in this approach to voter outreach might make a bigger impact on civic engagement.

From the Annenberg Public Policy Center

2 min. read

Over 1 in 3 adults in households with guns do not store all in locked locations

Over 1 in 3 adults in households with guns do not store all in locked locations

According to a new health survey from Penn’s Annenberg Public Policy Center, over a third of Americans with guns in their homes say they do not store all of them in a locked location, despite the fact that firearm-related injuries have been the most common cause of death from injury among children and young adults.

From the Annenberg Public Policy Center

1 min. read

Dolores Albarracín honored with BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award
Dolores Albarracin.

Image: Kyle Cassidy/Annenberg School for Communication

Dolores Albarracín honored with BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award

Albarracín, a PIK Professor with appointments in the Annenberg School for Communication and School of Arts & Sciences, is being recognized for increasing “our understanding of how attitudes can be changed, particularly with regard to persuasive messages.”
How a ‘conspiracy mindset’ promotes acceptance of vaccine misinformation, and how to counter it
Four friends holding their face masks in their hands looking at the phone.

Image: FilippoBacci via Getty Images

How a ‘conspiracy mindset’ promotes acceptance of vaccine misinformation, and how to counter it

A new paper from Penn’s Annenberg Public Policy Center analyzes data from three COVID-19 pandemic years and finds that those with conspiracy mindsets discount messages from sources they don’t trust; challenges to misinformation are most effective from their own trusted community.

From the Annenberg Public Policy Center

After years of anti-vaccine advocacy, RFK Jr. said vaccines protect children. But experts say he must go further amid measles outbreak

After years of anti-vaccine advocacy, RFK Jr. said vaccines protect children. But experts say he must go further amid measles outbreak

Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center and Jessica McDonald of APPC’s Factcheck.org comment on the need to debunk vaccine misinformation in public health messaging.

Task force recommendations for economic prosperity and national security
Scientist works on tablet computer in a lab.

Image: Hinterhaus Productions via Getty Images

Task force recommendations for economic prosperity and national security

Dean Antonia M. Villarruel of Penn Nursing and Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center are on the Vision for American Science and Technology task force that devised the policy recommendations.