Expert Alerts

Rice provost, structural engineer available to comment on Haiti earthquake

HOUSTON – (Aug. 15, 2021) – Rice University Provost Reginald DesRoches, a professor of civil and environmental engineering with expertise in structural engineering, is available to discuss this weekend’s magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Haiti.

Oil demand likely to grow despite pandemic, study says

HOUSTON – (July 10, 2021) – The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected both consumer and commercial transportation, but global oil demand will probably continue to grow through 2030, according to a new study.

Interesting times ahead for the natural gas industry, say Baker Institute experts

The future of natural gas is complicated in a world where the drive for decarbonization and the need for human and economic development often collide, according to experts from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Rise in credit scores amid COVID-19 may render them obsolete, says Baker Institute expert

Consumer credit scores steadily increased throughout 2020, but an expert from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy says unintended consequences are emerging.

Past immigration policy can guide future policy, say trio of Baker Institute papers

HOUSTON – (May 6, 2021) – With President Joe Biden’s proposed immigration reforms facing scrutiny from both sides of the aisle, the authors of three papers on the topic from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy are available to discuss how the past can inform future policy.

Houston can be leader in global plastic sustainability, says Baker Institute expert

Houston, as the intellectual capital for the energy industry, can become a global leader in advanced plastic recycling, according to an expert from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Rice U. expert available to discuss President Biden's first joint session address

EXPERT ALERT Rice U. expert available to discuss President Biden's first joint session address HOUSTON – (April 28, 2021) – President Joe Biden will make his first address to a joint session of Congress this evening, and Rice University political scientist Paul Brace is available to discuss what to expect.

Competition, not cooperation, will incentivize emissions reductions in China, says Baker Institute expert

The United States should compete with China on climate change initiatives rather than cooperate with its insincere regime, according to an analysis co-authored by an expert from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Could Robinhood debacle lead to 'Robin Hood tax'?

New tax proposals are already being contemplated as a result of the Robinhood-GameStop controversy, according to an expert from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

What's in a name? A hurdle for human development research, experts say

Scientists are struggling with public misconceptions on what embryoids are and what research on them entails, confusion that leads to policy decisions restricting access to important scientific exploration, according to a new paper by experts at Rice University — who blame the use of terms like synthetic or artificial embryos to describe them.

Mars geologist available to discuss Perseverance

Kirsten Siebach, a Martian geologist at Rice University, is available to speak with the media before NASA’s next Mars rover, Perseverance, lands on Feb. 18.

US must do its fair share for refugees, says Baker Institute expert

Increasing the number of refugees resettled to the U.S. is critical for the well-being of refugees across the globe, according to an expert from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Rice political scientist available to discuss Biden inauguration

House vote to decriminalize marijuana reflects the will of the American public, says Baker Institute expert

HOUSTON – (Dec. 4, 2020) – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation that would decriminalize marijuana and seek to "address the devastating injustices caused by the war on drugs." Katharine Neill Harris, the Alfred C. Glassell III Fellow in Drug Policy at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, is available to discuss the so-called MORE Act with the news media.

US economy can handle high government debt, says Baker Institute expert

U.S. debt is projected to soon eclipse World War II-era levels, and while that sounds problematic, that much growth in government debt won’t weaken the private sector like it did in the 1940s, according to new research by an expert at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.