Hughes Center Conversations

Latest Episodes:

Immigration Revisited May 05, 2025

Show notes

As a follow-up to a Fall 2024 episode, Stockton Professor of Economics Ramya Vijaya, Ph.D., joins us to talk about what the latest labor force data for New Jersey shows about immigrants' contributions to the state economy. She also addresses some common misconceptions about immigrants in the workforce.

Dissecting the MAHA Movement May 01, 2025

Show notes

Anthony Dissen, EdD, MPH, RDN, CPH, Assistant Professor of Health Sciences at Stockton University, joins the podcast to dissect the "Make America Healthy Again" movement. We address everything from food dyes, ultra-processed foods, pesticides, and vaccines, to the role of federal health agencies and how best to communicate vital public health information.

The latest Stockton poll on the MAHA policy agenda cited in this episode can be found here.

Assessing the Online Gambling Industry Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Jane Bokunewicz, Ph.D., Stockton professor and director of the Levenson Institute for Gaming, Hospitality, and Tourism, joins us to discuss the state of the online gambling industry in New Jersey. She provides an overview of the latest market trends, the implications of the potential tax increases on internet gaming and sports betting proposed in the 2026 state budget, and more.

Stay tuned for after the interview for additional discussion of the broader debates surrounding internet gaming policy and for the results of our latest poll which shed light on voter support for the potential tax hike on online gambling.

Results of the Stockton poll cited in this episode can be found here and the research study cited in the episode can be found here.

Addressing Election Distrust Nov 25, 2024

Show notes

On the heels of a presidential election and at a time when one-third of New Jersey voters doubt the legitimacy of the electoral process, we dive into election administration. How are votes cast and counted in New Jersey? What safeguards are in place to ensure accuracy? Why does it sometimes take so long to get results? Atlantic County Clerk Joe Giralo (R) and Atlantic County Board of Elections Commissioner Creed Pogue (D) join us to discuss all of this and more. These election officials aim to demystify the process, increase transparency, and instill confidence in local voters that our elections are secure. They also give their take on the outcome this November and what declining institutional trust means for the future of our democracy.

Find the full Stockton poll results on election distrust here.

Immigration and the Labor Market Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

Stockton Professor of Economics Ramya Vijaya, Ph.D., joins the Hughes Center for Public Policy to talk about what the latest labor market data for New Jersey tells us about immigrants’ contributions to the state economy, the implications for immigration policy, and what is at stake in the 2024 election. At a time when immigration is on the ballot, we discuss the local and national economies’ reliance on immigrants’ labor.

View Vijaya’s New Jersey labor market analysis here.

Inside the White House Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Peter Baker takes us inside the White House, sharing the incredible stories and insights he's gained during his decades-long career covering the past five presidents and their administrations. Baker is the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, an award-winning journalist, a political analyst, and a New York Times best-selling author. He is uniquely qualified to discuss the challenges reporters face in our changing media landscape, the role of the press in holding our leaders accountable, and the state of the 2024 election for president.

This special edition of Hughes Center Conversations recaps the highlights from the center's in-person conversation with Baker, which was held September 12, 2024 at Stockton University and moderated by Stockton Professor of Communication Studies Toby Rosenthal. You can find the full event recording on the Hughes Center's YouTube channel here.

Explaining Offshore Wind Energy Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

Patrick Hossay, Ph.D., sits down with the Hughes Center's Director of Research Alyssa Maurice to explain the fundamentals of offshore wind energy from how it works to the size of the turbines. We also dive into the New Jersey public’s response to offshore wind projects, the potential impact of the offshore wind industry on the local economy and jobs, as well as the regulatory challenges that lie ahead. Hossay is a Professor of Sustainability at Stockton University. This episode was first released in September 2023.

You can find the latest Hughes Center statewide poll results on wind energy here.

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