The School of Communication Studies will host its second colloquium on Friday, Nov. 4 at 2:30 p.m. in Franklin Hall, Room 312/314.
This discussion will be presented by political science professor and graduate coordinator, Ryan Claassen, titled, “Will Sexism be the Presidential Election’s November Surprise?”.
Claassen will be discussing the possible circumstances surrounding this year’s presidential election, and the role gender can play in politics. He will introduce various methods for uncovering hidden biases in surveys, specifically biases related to gender, and how those biases could influence election outcomes. This is a continuation of his research in the Washington Post Monkey Cage article, “Will Sexism be the U.S. Presidential Election’s November Surprise?”.
“We find explicit biases, but positive and negative biases cancel out indicating that bias is likely electorally inconsequential,” Claassen said.
Attendees will learn how to uncover and explain small hidden biases against women involved in the political environment.
Claassen’s research investigates political participation, citizen competence, public opinion, election administration, religion and politics, interest groups and racial and ethnic politics. His first book, “Godless Democrats and Pious Republicans? Party Activists, Party Capture, and the ‘God Gap’” has been reviewed in The Christian Century, Perspectives and Public Opinion Quarterly. His work has been featured in several political journals, including American Politics Research and The Journal of Politics.
The presentation is free of charge and all faculty and graduate students are invited to attend. The series provides an opportunity for faculty and students to foster intellectual and collaborative discussions, and to stay informed about current research efforts.
The final Fall 2016 semester colloquium will take place on Friday, Dec. 2.
Additional details about the upcoming colloquium will be available at www.kent.edu/comm at a later date. For questions or consideration for future colloquiums, contact Aaron Bacue at abacue@kent.edu.