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Garrett Honored by World Association for Public Opinion Research

September 22, 2025

Garrett Honored by World Association for Public Opinion Research

Kelly Garrett

Professor Kelly Garrett coauthored a paper, The “Clinching Effect” and Affective Polarization: Exposure to Incivility via Social Media in the Presence of Online News, led by Dr. Jennifer Brundidge, that received the Robert M. Worcester Prize from the World Association for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR). 

This study examines how disrespectful behavior on social media and online news influence affects political division in the U.S. It found that incivility by itself doesn’t directly increase polarization. But when rude content is combined with partisan news, it makes people more divided. On the other hand, when it's paired with nonpartisan news, it reduces division.

The Worcester Prize is presented by WAPOR on the annual basis for the year’s outstanding paper contributed to the International Journal of Public Opinion Research. An award committee appointed by the WAPOR Council, with input from the IJPOR Editorial Board, selects the winning article every year.