We are thrilled at the news that Professor Jim Stimson is the recipient of the the 2016 Warren J. Mitofsky Award for Excellence in Public Opinion Research. The award is given by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, which was founded in 1947. The Roper Center is at the heart of public opinion research and houses thousands of archives and polling data. Stimson, who is the Raymond Dawson Professor of Political Science here at UNC, is receiving the award for his contributions to the study of public opinion and for his expert use of the Roper Center data archives. Stimson was an innovator in using the archives to learn about the measurement and meaning of self-reported liberal and conservative ideology in polling data.
A little history behind the name of the award: Warren Mitofsky, chairman of the Roper Center board for many years, is best known for the invention of election night exit polling, first conceived when he was affiliated with CBS News. His firm later became the source for virtually all American exit polls, jointly serving all the networks and other media outlets.
Jim’s students and colleagues know him as a tireless mentor, friend and supporter of research and graduate training. His door is always open, especially to talk about new research, and no one has contributed more to our graduate program. Around the world, he is known as one of the most prominent scholars of American Politics, and his research serves as a cornerstone for the study of political mood and opinion. This prestigious award is a wonderful reminder of how remarkable it is to have Professor Stimson on the faculty here at UNC. Congratulations, Jim!