Nora Cate Schaeffer, University of Wisconsin Survey Center’s Faculty Director and Sewell-Bascom Professor of Sociology, has been elected to a three-year term on the Executive Council of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR). She will serve as first as Vice-President and then as President and Past-President. Since its founding in 1947, AAPOR has served as the central meeting place for survey researchers interested in public opinion, media research, the federal statistical system, and the development of survey methodology. In addition to publishing Public Opinion Quarterly, the Journal of Survey Statistics and Methodology, and Survey Practice, AAPOR also serves as a forum for developing professional standards in a changing technological and political environment.
UWSC — one of the largest university-based survey research organization in the country – has close ties with the Department of Sociology and its Concentration in Analysis and Research (CAR). Together they have brought a steady stream of leaders to the field of survey research methods: Associate Director John Stevenson (BA & CAR, 1988) was recently honored as Fellow of the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research (MAPOR, 2017) in recognition of his exceptional service to their governing organization. Distinguished Scientist and Survey Methodologist Jennifer Dykema (Ph.D., 2004) has served on AAPOR Council as Conference Chair (2017) and Chair of Membership and Chapter Relations (2012-2014). Project Management Director Kelly Elver (BA 1987) has served as the Registrar of the International Field Directors & Technology Conference (IFD&TC) since 2013. Technology Director Eric White (BA & CAR, 1992) was the Conference Organizer for IFD&TC (2007-2008)