US Embassy Policy Specialist Program

Embassy Policy Specialists Grant Recipients 2006-2007

Name: Cynthia Buckley
Title: Associate Professor
Department: Sociology
Institution: The University of Texas, Austin
Country Visited: US Embassy in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Project Area: Migration Trends
Project Abstract: Dr. Buckley will extend and expand her research on the effect of temporary out-migration on family systems. Buckley will test existent theories regarding the positive economic influence of migrant remittances and explore the social implications of out-migration in a high migration context. The project will focus not only on the difficulties in measuring both temporary migration and remittances, but also on tracing the possible policy implications of various measurement (estimation) approaches.

Name: David Mould
Title: Associate Dean
Department: College of Communication
Institution: Ohio University
Country Visited: US consulate in Ekaterinburg, Russia
Project Area: Higher Education Media Program Development
Project Abstract: Dr. Mould will examine direct pressures on media professionals, such as state ownership of media and outright censorship, and indirect pressures, such as alliances between media owners, advertisers, and national or local power structures. This includes government control of printing plants and broadcast transmitters, and libel laws and regulations, which collectively lead to self-censorship. Mould will research issues of language and regional cultural identity, interviewing print and broadcast journalists, academics, policy-makers, social observers, and analyzing press and academic articles that discuss the role of the media.