John Geer
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Vanderbilt University Unity Poll: Americans say college should teach “how to think,” not “what to think”
As conversations about the value and nature of higher education continue at colleges and universities nationwide, a new national Vanderbilt Unity Poll finds that Americans are largely united on the fundamental value of higher education—and in their dis... Read MoreNov. 19, 2025
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Vanderbilt Unity Poll: Confidence in higher education rebounds, though affordability and political bias are still concerns
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy recently conducted a national poll to gauge Americans’ opinions on topics related to institutions of higher education, including their confidence in those institutions, their current relevance, fed... Read MoreSep. 24, 2025
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Vanderbilt Poll: Tennesseans aligned in opposition to federal funding cuts, deeply divided on presidential powers
At a time of deep political divisions, registered Tennessee voters are united in their overwhelming support for key federal programs, according to the latest semiannual statewide Vanderbilt Poll. Concern about the U.S. economy and personal financial fu... Read MoreMay. 8, 2025
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Vanderbilt Poll: Mayor O’Connell keeps earning high marks; Nashvillians align on issues, but not always on solutions
Eighteen months since taking office, Mayor Freddie O’Connell continues to enjoy broad public approval. The 2025 Vanderbilt Poll–Nashville found his favorability among Nashville residents at 67 percent—a very high level of approval for any elected polit... Read MoreApr. 4, 2025
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Vanderbilt Poll: Post-election, core concerns and views of Tennesseans persist
The latest semiannual, statewide Vanderbilt Poll reflects that the election had little impact on Tennesseans’ stances on key issues. A notable exception was increased approvals for state lawmakers since May, despite often holding positions on some issu... Read MoreDec. 13, 2024
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NEH lauds Vanderbilt’s Jon Meacham for humanities achievements
Vanderbilt Distinguished Visiting Professor of Political Science and Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Jon Meacham has been awarded a National Humanities Medal, the nation’s highest honor for contributions to the humanities. Read MoreNov. 14, 2024
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Vanderbilt elections course breaks record as largest elective class in the university’s history
With 1,100 enrolled students, the number speaks for itself—PSCI 1150: U.S. Elections is a hot commodity on campus. The elective course offered every four years by the College of Arts and Science is a highly anticipated deep dive into how elections work... Read MoreOct. 11, 2024
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‘The Choice: Meacham and Geer on 2024’ begins this week
Premiering Aug. 28, The Choice, produced by Dialogue Vanderbilt and featuring Pulitzer Prize–winning author and presidential historian Jon Meacham and Vanderbilt professor, polling expert and political scientist John Geer, will discuss the key moments ... Read MoreAug. 26, 2024
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Vanderbilt Poll: Majority of Tennessee voters now pro-choice, gender gap developing on key issues
The semiannual, statewide Vanderbilt Poll showed in its most recent survey that slightly more than half of the state’s voters support a woman’s right to an abortion, that there is significant bipartisan support of IVF procedures as well as modest gun c... Read MoreMay. 22, 2024
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The Choice: Meacham and Geer on 2024
The Choice, produced by the Dialogue Vanderbilt, is a four-part podcast focused on the key moments and ramifications of the 2024 presidential election between former president Donald J. Trump and current President Joseph R. Biden. Vanderbilt’s Jon Meac... Read MoreMay. 16, 2024
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Vanderbilt University honors emeritus and emerita faculty, one emeritus dean
Vanderbilt University honored 27 retiring faculty members and one dean for their years of service by bestowing upon them the title of emerita or emeritus faculty during Vanderbilt’s Commencement ceremony on May 10 at GEODIS Park. Read MoreMay. 10, 2024
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Vanderbilt Poll: City ‘back on the right track,’ Nashvillians largely unified across issues
According to the 2024 Vanderbilt Poll–Nashville, a majority (53 percent) of Nashvillians believe the city is on the right track, which represents a nine-point increase from last year. It is the first time in four years the measure has increased. Read MoreApr. 4, 2024
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Staying the Course: Addressing Contemporary Issues in the Classroom
A&S has created dozens of new courses in the wake of a global pandemic and social unrest, and faculty members speak to the importance of using the classroom to engage students in real-life, critical issues. Read MoreNov. 30, 2021