News

Matsui Center Fellow Sofia Greenwald awarded prestigious Fulbright Scholarship

April 11, 2024

The Institute of Governmental Studies wishes to extend its congratulations to Sofia Greenwald, for recently being chosen as a Fulbright Scholar for the 2024-2025 academic year! Sofia will be taking international business courses at Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, one of Mexico’s most esteemed universities, and simultaneously completing a Mexican or multinational corporate internship in Mexico City.

About the Fulbright...

Berkeley IGS Poll in Progress this Week (Feb 22 - Feb 28)

February 22, 2024
Berkeley IGS Poll in Progress This Week

This week the Institute of Governmental Studies will be conducting another of its periodic polls of the California public about major political and public policy issues facing the state. It is a legitimate non-partisan poll sponsored by the University that is carried out by distributing email invitations via Qualtrics to a carefully constructed random sample of the state’s registered voters. Data collection will continue through Wednesday, February 28.

The opinions of all survey participants will remain confidential and not...

Berkeley IGS Poll in Progress this Week (Jan 4 - Jan 10)

January 4, 2024
Berkeley IGS Poll in Progress This Week

This week the Institute of Governmental Studies will be conducting another of its periodic polls of the California public about major political and public policy issues facing the state. It is a legitimate non-partisan poll sponsored by the University that is carried out by distributing email invitations via Qualtrics to a carefully constructed random sample of the state’s registered voters. Data collection will continue through Wednesday, January 10.

The opinions of all survey participants will remain confidential and not be...

BET covers IGS poll findings showing the disparity between California voters' recognition of the legacy of slavery, and lack of support for cash reparations

September 11, 2023
Nigel Roberts

Despite acknowledging the ongoing impact of slavery, concerns about fairness and singling out one group contribute to the opposition. IGS Poll findings pose challenges for Governor Newsom, who signed legislation to create the California Reparations Task Force, which recommended a mix of benefits. To learn more, click here.

IGS Poll highlighted in KTLA article on cash reparations for Black Californians

September 11, 2023
Tony Kurzweil

The Los Angeles Times cited the Berkeley IGS Poll, revealing that 59% of California voters oppose cash payments as reparations for descendants of enslaved African Americans, while only 28% support the idea. Despite acknowledgment of the impact of slavery on Black residents, the poll indicates a challenging political landscape for Newsom, with strong opposition to cash reparations. To read more about the poll results, click here.

IGS Faculty Advisory Board and CA Reparations Task force member Jovan Scott Lewis clarifies contentious results of IGS poll findings on reparations in SF Chronicle article

September 10, 2023
Jess Lander

Berkeley IGS Poll results cited by the San Francisco Chronicle, reveal that a majority of California voters, including Democrats, oppose cash reparations for Black residents, despite acknowledging the impact of slavery. The Reparations Task Force's recommendations, including cash payments, face skepticism, with 59% opposing. To read more about the poll results, click here.

Congratulations to our 2023 David M. Howard Memorial Prize Winner, Karen Villegas

November 15, 2023

The Institute of Governmental Studies wishes to extend its congratulations to Karen Villegas, our 2023 David M. Howard Memorial Prize in American Politics recipient!

About Karen:

I am from the Inland Empire (IE!) and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA. As a Ph.D Candidate in the Berkeley School of Education, I think about the ways in which the powerful set the terms of order and the way we teach according to their codes. I study ways we assimilate nondominant communities – through English – in ESL citizenship classes. And I interrogate how ESL...

LA Times cites IGS Poll findings that highlight Trump's enduring popularity amongst California GOP, despite mounting legal troubles

September 6, 2023
Seema Mehta

Former President Donald Trump is on track to gain the support of California's delegates for next year's Republican convention. The Berkeley IGS poll cited by LA Times highlights the growing support Trump's campaign is accruing, and how several other presidential candidates are doing in comparison. Click here to learn more about the presidential race and the IGS poll findings.

Berkeley IGS Poll in Progress this Week (Oct 25 - Oct 31)

October 25, 2023
Berkeley IGS Poll in Progress This Week

This week the Institute of Governmental Studies will be conducting another of its periodic polls of the California public about major political and public policy issues facing the state. It is a legitimate non-partisan poll sponsored by the University that is carried out by distributing email invitations via Qualtrics to a carefully constructed random sample of the state’s registered voters. Data collection will continue through Tuesday, October 31.

The opinions of all survey participants will remain confidential and not be...

IGS poll cited in CBS News article about California voters wanting more diversity in leadership

August 16, 2023

CBS News cites Berkeley's August 2023 IGS poll, highlighting rising concerns for lack of diversity in elected leadership positions. Californians are worried that state officials do not reflect the diversity of California's population. To learn more about the results of the IGS poll, click here.