Expert Alerts

Pandemic may be Mexican leadership's undoing, says Baker Institute expert

HOUSTON – (March 27, 2020) – The coronavirus pandemic is testing Mexico's leaders and their ability to handle a crisis, according to an expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Online church services reduce 'sense of loneliness,' says Baker Institute expert

HOUSTON – (March 23, 2020) – With local and state government officials restricting large public gatherings and President Trump urging Americans to limit their gatherings to fewer than 10 people during the novel coronavirus outbreak, houses of worship all over the country are streaming services online. Even a reduced service can ease "the sense of loneliness," said William Martin, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Senior Fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.  

Rice U. experts available to discuss COVID-19's wide-ranging impact

HOUSTON – (March 23, 2020) – As the COVID-19 pandemic grows and impacts the lives of people across the globe, Rice University experts are available to discuss various topics related to the disease. 

Turning to small business loan programs amid crisis makes economic, political sense, says Rice U. expert

HOUSTON – (March 23, 2020) – President Trump's decision to utilize the Small Business Administration’s grant and loan programs as means of stabilizing local economies amid the shock of the coronavirus pandemic is motivated by their ability to pump money into local economies quickly — and their popularity in Congress — according to an expert at Rice University.

Panic-buyers not making rational decisions, says Rice U. consumer behavior expert

HOUSTON – (March 20, 2020) – Many Americans who are worried about being able to provide food, water and other necessities for their families during the coronavirus outbreak aren’t making rational decisions, according to a consumer behavior expert at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business. Utpal Dholakia, professor of marketing at Rice Business, is available to discuss the dynamics at play.

Which Democrat will take Texas on Super Tuesday?

In less than a week, voters in 14 states and American Samoa and Democrats living abroad will head to the polls on Super Tuesday.

Valentine's Day gifts make men feel like heroes, expert says

HOUSTON – (Feb. 13, 2020) – A new survey finds men are more willing to rack up credit card debt if Valentine’s Day gifts are involved. In fact, research shows some behaviors tend to reinforce people's gender identity — and that includes Valentine’s Day gift-giving behavior, according to a marketing and customer relationships expert at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business.

Benefits boost for parents not enough, says Baker Institute expert

HOUSTON – (Feb. 4, 2020) – Congress recently passed a bill granting 12 weeks of paid parental leave to federal workers the same week it established the SECURE Act, which offers new parents an option for penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts.

The Iowa Debacle: Voting security expert weighs in

HOUSTON – (Feb. 4, 2020) – The Iowa caucuses debacle raises more questions than answers, and a Rice University voting security expert is available to weigh in.

As Trump impeachment trial nears conclusion, Rice political scientist available to discuss upcoming State of the Union address

HOUSTON – (Jan. 30, 2020) – Amid his impeachment trial, President Donald Trump is preparing for his annual State of the Union address next week. Rice University political scientist Paul Brace is available to discuss what to expect in the president's remarks.

Rice PR expert weighs in on Astros cheating scandal

HOUSTON – (Jan. 14, 2019) – Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were fired by team owner Jim Crane Monday after Major League Baseball suspended them for a year each following an investigation that discovered Houston cheated using technology en route to winning the 2017 World Series. "Sports is a unique context where (fan) loyalty persists in spite of transgressions by the team or its players," said Anastasiya (Annie) Zavyalova, associate professor of strategic management at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business. "Considering the Astros' recent victory right after Hurricane Harvey, I expect Astros fans to continue to support the team in light of this scandal."

Abbott's refugee refusal sets 'dangerous precedent,' says Baker Institute expert

HOUSTON – (Jan. 13, 2020) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has become the first U.S. governor to announce his state will refuse to admit federal resettled refugees in 2020, citing the "broken" U.S. immigration system he said has put unfair pressure on border states.

Trump 'playing a high-stakes game with Iran,' says Baker Institute expert

HOUSTON – (Jan. 2, 2020) – The United States could take preemptive military action if it gets sufficient warning that Iran or its proxy forces are planning further strikes on American interests in the Middle East, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said today. Joe Barnes, a foreign policy expert and the Bonner Means Baker Fellow at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is available to discuss this development and the state of U.S.-Iranian relations with the media.