Expert Alerts

Rice U. experts available to discuss 20th anniversary of Sept. 11

Paper: Wealth inequality shrinking after Trump-era tax reform, but progress at risk

Wealth inequality dropped in 2019 in the U.S. for the first time in almost three decades, but proposed tax legislation is threatening to reverse the progress, according to an expert at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Wealth inequality shrinking after Trump-era tax reform, but progress at risk, says Baker Institute expert

HOUSTON – (Aug. 27, 2021) – Wealth inequality dropped in 2019 in the U.S. for the first time in almost three decades, but proposed tax legislation is threatening to reverse the progress, according to an expert at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

US must take responsibility for Afghan refugees, says expert

As some Afghan refugees fleeing the chaos in their home country head to the United States, Kelsey Norman, fellow for the Middle East and director of the Women’s Rights, Human Rights and Refugees Program at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy, argues that the U.S. is dodging responsibility by distributing most refugees across the globe, which will force them to wade through more bureaucracy.

Shale oil investments may be protected from nationalization, experts say

Shale oil’s short-cycle production protects foreign investors from the risk of expropriation — government taking private property for public use — providing an opportunity for the increasingly risk-averse global petroleum industry, according to a new report.

Rice provost, structural engineer available to comment on Haiti earthquake

HOUSTON – (Aug. 15, 2021) – Rice University Provost Reginald DesRoches, a professor of civil and environmental engineering with expertise in structural engineering, is available to discuss this weekend’s magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Haiti.

Oil demand likely to grow despite pandemic, study says

HOUSTON – (July 10, 2021) – The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected both consumer and commercial transportation, but global oil demand will probably continue to grow through 2030, according to a new study.

Interesting times ahead for the natural gas industry, say Baker Institute experts

The future of natural gas is complicated in a world where the drive for decarbonization and the need for human and economic development often collide, according to experts from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Rise in credit scores amid COVID-19 may render them obsolete, says Baker Institute expert

Consumer credit scores steadily increased throughout 2020, but an expert from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy says unintended consequences are emerging.

Past immigration policy can guide future policy, say trio of Baker Institute papers

HOUSTON – (May 6, 2021) – With President Joe Biden’s proposed immigration reforms facing scrutiny from both sides of the aisle, the authors of three papers on the topic from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy are available to discuss how the past can inform future policy.

Houston can be leader in global plastic sustainability, says Baker Institute expert

Houston, as the intellectual capital for the energy industry, can become a global leader in advanced plastic recycling, according to an expert from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Rice U. expert available to discuss President Biden's first joint session address

EXPERT ALERT Rice U. expert available to discuss President Biden's first joint session address HOUSTON – (April 28, 2021) – President Joe Biden will make his first address to a joint session of Congress this evening, and Rice University political scientist Paul Brace is available to discuss what to expect.

Competition, not cooperation, will incentivize emissions reductions in China, says Baker Institute expert

The United States should compete with China on climate change initiatives rather than cooperate with its insincere regime, according to an analysis co-authored by an expert from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Could Robinhood debacle lead to 'Robin Hood tax'?

New tax proposals are already being contemplated as a result of the Robinhood-GameStop controversy, according to an expert from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

What's in a name? A hurdle for human development research, experts say

Scientists are struggling with public misconceptions on what embryoids are and what research on them entails, confusion that leads to policy decisions restricting access to important scientific exploration, according to a new paper by experts at Rice University — who blame the use of terms like synthetic or artificial embryos to describe them.