Howard Initiative on Public Opinion

The Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion brings together the unique expertise and perspectives of scholars across disciplines to conduct national polls on issues of relevance to the Black communities.

Every Opinion Counts 

The Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion (HU Polling Initiative) conducts national polls on issues relevant to historically vulnerable communities. We specialize in collecting data on African American and Latinx communities' attitudes, experiences, perceptions, and opinions. 

An interdisciplinary team of scholars, representing Afro-American Studies, Communication and Media Studies, Economics, English, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, and Sociology, provides our clients with a broad range of expertise in public opinion research.

Contemporary Public Opinion

The HU Polling Initiative contributes to the research mission of the University, providing a broad measure of contemporary public opinion and generating datasets for subsequent scholarly analysis. Graduate students are involved in the methodological design, data collection, and analysis of national polls and surveys. 

HIPO Polls Conducted 

Black Voter Focus Group Report

Black voters will be crucial in shaping the outcomes of the 2024 presidential race. With less than 100 days remaining before the general election, the opportunity to understand this heterogeneous voting population is more important now than ever. In coordination with TargetSmart, HIPO conducted six focus groups representing a range of political ideological perspectives with Black participants who identify as Republican, Democrat, and Independent. The results provide unique insights that are not commonly discussed in the media.  

Black Voter Focus Group Report→

 

 

Black Voters Harris Poll

In the wake of Vice President Kamala Harris's ascension as the presumptive nominee for the Democratic Party, the Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion conducted a poll on the opinions of Black voters July 22-24 in relation to Harris's candidacy. The report includes results from more than 2000 respondents from more than 30 states, weighted by gender and education level. Results suggest that Harris is best known for her advocacy for reproductive rights, that her best path to victory is to select a white male running mate, and that respondents view her as a politically moderate Democrat.

Black Voters’ Harris Poll →

2024 Black Voters’ Poll

The Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion conducted a poll on the opinions of Black voters in the US. The report includes analysis by key demographic indicators of Black Americans, including gender, political party, and religion. Analysis by demographics show that despite the Black vote being described as a monolith, that Black Americans have a variety of attitudes and opinions that affect their voting behavior. 

2024 Black Voters’ Poll →

Super Tuesday Black Voters' Poll Report

Super Tuesday is a critical moment during the presidential cycle. The Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion analyzed the opinions of Black voters in key Super Tuesday states. The poll results show most Black voters plan to vote along party lines, with well over 50% of the sample supporting Biden (59%) and 14% supporting Trump. The data also reveal a greater percentage of voters in the Mid-Atlantic and South support Biden than in the West, and Black women show stronger support for Biden than their male counterparts.

Super Tuesday Black Voters' Poll Report →

Michigan Black Voter Poll

As a key swing state with the support of Black voters, Michigan helped win President Biden the election in 2020. The Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion conducted a recent poll on the opinions of Black voters in Michigan in relation to the 2024 presidential primary. Poll results suggested that while President Biden is still favored among Democrats, his overwhelming support from Black voters is not as strong as it was in 2020.

Michigan Black Voter Poll →

COVID-19 Survey Series

A series of surveys have been conducted examining COVID-19-related public and health impacts in African American and Hispanic/Latinx communities.

COVID-19 Study Findings →

Dr. Gary Harris
Dr. Gary L. Harris

History of HIPO

Under the leadership of then Associate Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, the late Gary L. Harris, Ph.D., a group of research faculty across disciplines convened at the annual retreat at Wintergreen, VA, to explore scholarly collaborations. The faculty of Disciplines in Dialogue observed that the diversity of the Black Diaspora is seldom reflected in national polls and surveys. Scholars from graduate programs in economics, political science, sociology and communication, culture, and media studies designed the Howard Initiative on Public Opinion (HIPO), to collect, analyze and report research findings on opinions of the Black Diaspora.

HU Polling Initiative Team

Terri Adams Photo 12 22
Terri Adams, PhD, Professor of Sociology, Director of HIPO, Associate Dean, Graduate School
Dr Marcus Board Photo
Marcus Board, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science
Dr. Greg Carr
Gregory Carr, PhD, Associate Professor of Africana Studies
Dr Terri Davis Photo
Terri Davis, PhD, Post Doctorate, Communication, Culture, and Media
Dr. Jules Harrell
Jules Harrell, PhD, Professor of Psychology
Dr. Ron Hopson
Ronald Hopson, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology and Divinity
Dr. Clarance Lusane
Clarance Lusane, PhD, Professor of Political Science
Dr Lorenzo Morris Photo
Dr. Lorenzo Morris, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Political Science
Dr. Elsie Scott Photo
Elsie Scott, PhD, Director, Ronald W. Walters Leadership & Public Policy Center
Dr. William Spriggs
William Spriggs, PhD, Professor of Economics
Tess Starman Photo
Tess Starman, PhD, Student, Sociology
Dr. Jennifer Thomas
Jennifer Thomas, MA, Associate Professor of Broadcast Journalism
Dr. Dana Williams
Dana Williams, PhD, Dean of Graduate School, Professor of English

Contact information 

Terri Adams, Ph.D.
Director of HIPO & Associate Dean for the Office of External Affairs
Graduate School
Howard University

HIPO@Howard.edu
(202) 806 -4670

Want to be a catalyst for change? Let your voices be heard by joining one of our research panels. We are seeking insightful voices for future research on a range of topics important to Black communities everywhere. We invite participation from all ages and demographics. Help shape the future by offering your thoughts, opinions, and experiences. To join, click on the button below.  Someone from our team will be in touch regarding the next steps.

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