Since its inception in 2011, the Institute on Race and Ethnicity has championed scholarly work that sheds light on both historical and contemporary accounts of racism and the damaging effects such have on realizing equality and justice in American society.
Through the IRE Research Program we seek to take important steps to define the reality, nature, and extent of structural racism.
Inquire – by asking the tough questions that may make some uncomfortable but are necessary for understanding the root causes of racial inequities.
Reveal – by exposing the truth and bring attention to the problem of racism in a historical and contemporary context.
Empower – by using solid research and data to help inform decision making and formulate public policy that will achieve more equitable outcomes.
Building upon responses captured in the 11th Annual UALR Racial Attitudes Survey in Pulaski County titled Class, Finance, and Business, the Institute announces its 2014 Mini-Grant Program awards.
Below is a brief summary of each research project:
The Labor Market and Academic Preparation of Young Black Men for the Contemporary Workforce in Pulaski County, Arkansas
Dr. John Kuykendall
Dr. John A. Kuykendall, Associate Professor in Higher Education
High black male unemployment combined with low-college attendance remains at alarming rates nationally and statewide. The research study will qualitatively examine 20 to 25 black men in the Arkansas workforce who have recently graduated high school and have yet to consider college to help advance their career aspirations. The study will highlight perceptions, situations, and interests coupled with the social and human capital needed to have an optimal career trajectory in Arkansas. The findings will offer implications and potential solutions for bridging the gap between educational attainment and workforce development for young black men.
Examining Calls for Police Service Using the 11th Annual UALR Racial Attitudes Survey Data: A Multilevel Analysis of Crime Reporting, Trust, Fear of Crime, and Perceptions of the Criminal Justice System
Dr. Emily R. Berthelot
Brittani A. McNeal, Ph.D. Candidate; Dr. Emily R. Berthelot, Assistant Professor in Criminal Justice; Dr. Julie Marie Baldwin, Assistant Professor in Criminal Justice
Recently, the media has portrayed numerous accounts of individual and community distrust in the police and the criminal justice system; this was especially expressed by local community members in Ferguson, Missouri, when Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager, was killed by a law enforcement officer. The objective of this study is to examine whether perceptions of the criminal justice system, fear of crime, victimization, and generalized trust of community members influence the decision to call the police if victimized and whether such a decision is variant across racial/ethnic groups (i.e., whites, blacks and Hispanics) and social class. Additionally, the study will explore what community-level measures influence whether an individual will call the police if victimized.
Dr. Sarah Quintanar
Following the Dollar: An Economic Analysis of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery
Dr. Sarah Quintanar, Associate Professor in Economics
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery was established with the objective of providing scholarship support to individuals who choose to pursue a college degree in Arkansas. It is well documented that the majority of lottery ticket purchases are by low-income individuals, blacks and Hispanics, and the likelihood of winning by these groups is low. The study will seek to identify the overall redistribution of funds from lottery ticket sales by county considering only scholarship funds, and also prizes won. The research conclusions will also help to develop policy recommendations aimed at increasing the number of scholarships obtained by students living in low-income areas within Arkansas.
Dr. Michael Craw
Inequality and Urban Neighborhood Governance
Dr. Michael Craw, Assistant Professor in Institute on Government
Homeownership has disproportionately benefited white over nonwhite households to the extent that blacks and Latinos are more likely to own homes in neighborhoods subject to divestment and blight. Differences in neighborhood stability and property value appreciation may often reduce the benefits from homeownership among nonwhite households and contribute to economic insecurity. This study will build upon ongoing research to determine what impact residents achieving greater representation in the local policymaking process might lead to access to a larger share of government resources, and how stronger neighborhood-based governance may allow groups to solve problems in their own communities more effectively.
See information on the 2013-14 grant recipients at IRE Research.
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The Institute on Race and Ethnicity at UALR was founded in July 2011. With a vision to make Arkansas the best state in the country for promoting and celebrating racial and ethnic diversity, the Institute conducts research, promotes scholarship and provides programs that address racial inequities. It does so by facilitating open and honest dialogue aimed at empowering communities and informing public policy to achieve more equitable outcomes. For more information, visit ualr.edu/race-ethnicity or the Institute’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Arkworktogether.
