Weidenbaum Center

Excited to share new research by Lukas Alexander, a Weidenbaum Center Graduate Research Affiliate.

This article explores how rural descriptive representation shapes policy support, offering new insight into the role of place-based identity in political behavior.

A timely contribution to conversations about representation and the urban–rural divide.

Read more:

The Power of Place: Rural Descriptive Representation and Policy Support | Journal of Experimental Political Science | Cambridge Core The Power of Place: Rural Descriptive Representation and Policy Support

Join the Weidenbaum Center for a timely conversation with former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm.
📘 Drawing on his new book The Triumph of Economic Freedom, Senator Gramm will challenge widely held assumptions about American capitalism—arguing that economic freedom has driven rising incomes, improved health, and expanded opportunity since the Industrial Revolution.
📅 This THURSDAY, April 9 | 2:00 PM
📍 Emerson Auditorium, Knight Hall, Washington University in St. Louis
👉 RSVP here: https://wc.wustl.edu/events/triumph-economic-freedom-former-us-senator-phil-gramm

Congratulations to our Spring 2026 Weidenbaum Center Small Grant Awardees! 👏 These outstanding scholars are pushing boundaries and tackling today’s most pressing policy challenges with innovative, groundbreaking projects. We’re proud to support research that drives change and shapes the future!
👇 Check out all our awardees and their project titles below:
https://wc.wustl.edu/spring-2026-small-grant-awardees

Please join us to hear from White House insider Aaron Hedlund, Chief Economist at the Council of Economic Advisers at the White House, on the current state of the economy and a forecast of our economic future.
📅 Friday, February 20, 2026
⏲️ 8:00 am
📌 WashU Danforth Campus, Seigle Hall, Room L006
👉 RSVP/more info: https://wc.wustl.edu/events/economic-forecast-inside-trump-white-house

🚨 Rapid Response Event 🚨
In response to fast-moving developments in federal immigration enforcement, the Weidenbaum Center is convening a timely conversation to examine what’s happening inside the United States—and why it matters for law, democracy, and communities.

🗓 Thursday, Feb. 12 | 10–11 AM
📍 Weidenbaum Center, Seigle Hall
🎤 Moderated discussion with WashU scholars
⚠️ Space is limited. RSVP required.
👉

Interior Immigration Enforcement and the American State In response to recent developments in federal immigration enforcement, the Weidenbaum Center convenes a timely conversation to examine what is unfolding inside the United States—and how we should understand it.

ICYMI: Check out the full video of our Annual Women's Luncheon here:

Women's Luncheon and Public Policy Event The 8th Annual Women's Luncheon is an annual Weidenbaum Center tradition connecting women, ideas, and policy. This year's luncheon featured Clarissa Hayward,...

🗞️ Read all about it! Check out our January 2026 Weidenbaum Center Newsletter featuring an event with Carolyn Bourdeaux, PhD Executive Director of the Concord Coalition and former U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 7th Congressional District, providing a candid assessment of the fiscal and political challenges facing the nation.
https://wc.wustl.edu/weidenbaum-center-newsletter-january-2026
👉 Watch the conversation on our YouTube page (see "Governing Past Gridlock" video):
https://www.youtube.com/

WeidenbaumCenter at WashU The Weidenbaum Center is a research institute at Washington University in St. Louis that supports social scientific research in the fields of public policy, economics, political science, and sociology. The Center funds faculty research, provides administrative support for research activities, and sp...

Where do Americans get—and trust—political information?�New findings from the Weidenbaum Center Survey: traditional media still dominates, social media grows, and AI is emerging—with sharp divides by age and party.
Read more! 👇

Where Americans get and trust political information: Traditional media leads, social media grows, AI emerges Where Americans get and trust political information: Traditional media leads, social media grows, AI emergesHwayong Shin | Weidenbaum Center Postdoctoral Fellow in Survey ResearchJanuary 16, 2026Where do Americans turn for political information—and which sources do they actually trust? As traditio...

This Wednesday! Join us for “Governing Past Gridlock: Why Fiscal Responsibility Still Matters” with Carolyn Bourdeaux, PhD, a former member of Congress & fiscal expert. She’ll discuss debt, deficits, and bipartisan solutions.

📅 Jan 14, 3 pm - Reception to follow
📍 Emerson Auditorium, Knight Hall, WashU
RSVP now!

Governing Past Gridlock: Why Fiscal Responsibility Still Matters Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux, former U.S. Representative (GA-07), discusses federal fiscal responsibility. The event is cosponsored by Washington University's Olin Business School.

📣 Kicking Off the Spring Semester! 🌱✨

We’re excited to launch the Weidenbaum Center’s spring semester with a timely and thought-provoking event: "Governing Past Gridlock: Why Fiscal Responsibility" Still Matters featuring Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux, Executive Director of The Concord Coalition and former U.S. Representative.

🗓 Wednesday, January 14
🕒 3:00–4:00 PM (Reception immediately following)
📍 Emerson Auditorium, Knight Hall — Washington University in St. Louis

Join us as Dr. Bourdeaux offers a bipartisan look at America’s rising debt and deficit challenges — and outlines ways to move beyond political stalemate toward sustainable fiscal policy for long-term prosperity.

RSVP here: https://wc.wustl.edu/events/governing-past-gridlock-why-fiscal-responsibility-still-matters

🗓 Join us January 14!
📍 Emerson Auditorium, Knight Hall — Washington University in St. Louis
⏰ 3:00–4:00 PM (Reception follows)
👉 Governing Past Gridlock: Why Fiscal Responsibility Still Matters
Featuring Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux, former U.S. Representative and Executive Director of The Concord Coalition. She’ll unpack America’s growing debt challenges, share bipartisan insights from her time in Congress, and explore how we move beyond political stalemate toward lasting fiscal solutions.
💬 Don’t miss this timely talk on national economic strength, generational fairness, and rebuilding political cooperation.
RSVP: https://wc.wustl.edu/events/governing-past-gridlock-why-fiscal-responsibility-still-matters