Congratulations to Elizabeth Thom (Northwestern) for receiving the 2026 Harold D. Lasswell Award for the best doctoral dissertation in public policy.
Citation from the Award Committee:
“Withering on the Vine: Political and Policy Lessons from Extractive Industry Decline in the United States” makes an innovative and important contribution to the study of public policy and political participation by illuminating the role of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in shaping civic engagement in post-industrial society. Challenging conventional socioeconomic models that predict political disengagement among resource-deprived populations, the author demonstrates how social welfare programs can mitigate structural disadvantages and sustain democratic participation. Through a compelling theoretical argument, a mixed methodological approach, and engaging writing, the dissertation advances our understanding of the relationship between social policy and political behavior. The committee commends this outstanding work for its originality, scholarly rigor, and capacity to challenge prevailing assumptions while remaining firmly grounded in evidence."
