Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Young, assistant professor of Political Science!  Young was one of ten UNG faculty to receive a UNG CURCA mini-grant to fund supplies, travel to conduct research, and specialized student assistance to faculty beginning or continuing undergraduate research projects in all academic areas. The paper, “Breaking the mold: An exploratory analysis of the characteristics and motivations of policy entrepreneurs” aims to provide a national analysis of the characteristics and motivations of policy entrepreneurs. The project was presented at the Midwest Political Science Association Meeting in April 2019 by Arianna McCarthy and Taylor Rickman Smith.  According to Young’s abstract, “A better understand of the motivations and common characteristics of policy entrepreneurs is significant for both voters and public servants. This research may help both groups to understand and better align themselves to future politicians.”  The study provides the first national study of the characteristics and motivations of policy entrepreneurs.

With the grant funding, Young purchased two perpetual educational licenses for qualitative analysis software (Nvivo 12) which have been installed on the computer in the workroom on Dahlonega campus and on the psych lab computer in Gainesville campus. According to Dr. Young, “making this software available on computers in public workspaces will allow faculty, students and staff that need to use the software for research or courses, the ability to do so.”

Please contact Dr. Young directly if you are interested in using the software on the Gainesville campus.