ACRE has had another successful semester of economics, education, and policy research. It’s hard to believe we are coming to the end of the fall semester and already planning for the year ahead. We hope you’ve been able to come to one of our events on campus, or read some of our many materials online.
Here’s a glimpse of what the ACRE team has been up to these past three months:
- Distinguished Speaker Series — gave students access to lectures and discussions with noteworthy authors and subject matter experts
- Colloquium — welcomed students from across Arkansas to discuss racial classification
- Student and Educator reading groups — saw the greatest number of applicants in ACRE’s history
- K12 programs — provided outstanding professional development events for educators
- Arkansas Freedom of Information Act — became a hot topic about which our experts weighed in
We’ve also welcomed two new team members and been referenced by the White House!
I hope you’ll take a moment to read more about each of these in the ACRE Review, and keep an eye on your inbox for updates on speakers and events in the Spring semester.
ACRE Reading Groups
ACRE student reading groups this fall semester had a record number of students apply. Information about the groups offered in the spring will be available soon, so stay tuned. For mor information, contact Terra Aquia at tvotaw@uca.edu with questions or to apply.
Recent ACRE Publications
ACRE Publications Examine COVID Relief Fund Transparency and Provide a Guide for Local Governments
Coronavirus Relief Fund Reporting: How States are Promoting Transparency
by Dr. Mavuto Kalulu
Dr. Kalulu’s policy brief examines how various states are ensuring the transparency of COVID-19 Relief Fund expenditures and draws lessons for Arkansas from the more transparent states. Arkansas received $1.25 billion and it is good governance for the state to report residents on how these funds are allocated and expended. The more transparent states provide more detailed information and provide downloadable data on searchable platforms.
COVID Relief Done Right: A Local Government Transparency Guide for Following the One-Time Influx of Funds by
Joyce O. Ajayi and Ashley Philips
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, local governments have received an influx of funds from the United States Treasury
Department to help pay for unexpected eligible expenses and replace lost revenue. Our latest publication, COVID Relief Done Right, authored by ACRE analyst Joyce O. Ajayi and UCA Associate Professor of Accounting Ashley Philips, provides background on the one-time influx of COVID-19 relief funds in Arkansas and a toolkit for local transparency and accountability in the use of these funds, including a web transparency checklist.
ACRE Director Recognized for Societal Impact
UCA College of Business recently announced the winners of its faculty excellence awards. ACRE Director and UCA Associate Professor of Economics Jeremy Horpedahl was awarded the Societal Impact award, for his impact in the past year in the classroom, through his academic research, and through his engagement with the public (such as media appearances, legislative testimony, and social media writings). Read more…
The Arkansas Center for Research in Economics (ACRE) is an Arkansas focused research center housed in the College of Business at the University of Central Arkansas. ACRE scholars and policy analysts use academic research and original analysis to educate the public on important issues of public policy in Arkansas. Our research focuses on barriers to employment, taxes and spending, targeted incentives, and government transparency. ACRE promotes solutions that respect the personal and economic freedoms of individuals because protecting and expanding these freedoms has a proven record of improving the lives of people around the world and here at home.
Sign up for the ACRE Newsletter: