The economy has held center stage for Americans in recent months, and economists at Iowa State University have found their analysis on the issues eagerly sought after by both local and national media.

The number and breadth of media contacting faculty for comment increased noticeably as the debates around the economy grew more pressing and contentious. John Schroeter, interim chair of the Department of Economics, says that the “complexity” gave faculty a unique opportunity to “help the public make sense of the issues.”

Department economists were asked to comment on the deficit debates, consumer and market reaction to the government stalemate, the value of a civil public dialogue on the issues, rural employment, and the effect of the Iowa caucuses on the local economy. They were featured frequently in regional, state, and local news, as well as National Public Radio, Bloomberg, and the PBS NewsHour.

“An important part of the mission of Iowa State University is helping our citizens be better informed about public policy issues and, therefore, better prepared for their roles as voters in our democratic system," said Schroeter.

“I’m happy to see so many of our faculty, through their discussions with media, play a role in that.”