Clemson political scientist Robert Smith gets $20,000 research stipend

Published: May 27, 2010

Robert Smith image by: Clemson University

CLEMSON — Robert Smith, associate professor of political science at Clemson University, has received a $20,000 research stipend from the IBM Endowment for the Business of Government.

The stipend will support Smith’s research on methods of public participation in the budget process with an emphasis on electronic and web-based citizen input into budgetary decisions.

Smith specializes in civic engagement and public administration and management.

“In view of difficult fiscal times and a problematic economy, governments at all levels face increasing pressures to be efficient yet responsive and accountable to citizens,” Smith said. “I am grateful to the IBM Endowment for this funding because it will allow me to investigate various approaches for maximizing reasoned citizen input into budgetary decisions through the use of existing and emerging technologies.” 

Smith is one of 11 awardees of IBM Center funding which sponsors independent, third-party research by top minds in academia and the nonprofit sector. The aim is to produce rigorous public management research and analysis that helps public-sector executives more effectively respond to their missions and management challenges.

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