Our News21 project started with an academic seminar in the spring semester of 2009, focused on both research methodology and emerging patterns in racial and ethnic political influence in the United States. Led by Carnegie Seminar director Deborah Nelson, the preparatory course exposed students to experts in related fields, including geographic political trends, demographics, and racial and ethnic voting patterns. 

Students also heard from computer scientists, including Ben Shneiderman, founding director of the Human Computer Interaction Lab at the University of Maryland. A video of his class lecture about data visualization is available online.

Welcome to the News21 staff blog at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Our New Voters project, produced by 12 student fellows and edited by faculty, explores how America's changing demographics are influencing voting behavior and attitudes. 

 This blog is designed to document how the project has evolved--and to highlight challenges and successes along the way. We welcome your thoughts and comments.

--Leslie Walker, News21 coordinator