The Murphy Institute at Tulane University

06/01/2026

Curious about all The Murphy Institute has to offer? Read up on the latest issue of our annual newsletter, The Exchange, to learn about our Centers, events, academic programs, and much more: https://issuu.com/tulanemurphy/docs/the_exchange_fall_2025_-_a_new_campus_home_and_a_?fr=sNWUwMjg5MzMzMzQ 📖

05/29/2026

Each year, The Murphy Institute recognizes the graduating seniors in political economy with an outstanding performance in academic excellence the Charles H. Murphy Prize. 🏆

Congratulations to our 2026 honorees:
Kate Litton, Noah Zelkin, Serena Lum, and Porter Hoel — we are so proud of your hard work and achievements! 🎓

👏 Join us in celebrating these incredible graduates!

05/28/2026

📰 The Murphy Institute-funded Education Research Alliance for New Orleans recently shared new Citywide Youth Survey findings designed to help inform local conversations about how New Orleans can better support young people.

Check out the survey⤵️
https://educationresearchalliancenola.org/citywide-youth-survey

A new survey of New Orleans public school students finds many young people are aiming high for college and careers, but a sizable share are struggling with mental health, feeling unsupported in school and worrying that their motivation or academic performance could keep them from reaching their goal...

05/27/2026

Get inspired with a look back at our spring research symposium, "AI: From Code to Consequences," including photos, videos, and a written recap of day one panel sessions. ✨

🎥Revisit the day: https://murphy.tulane.edu/events/2026-research-symposium.

Tulane University Tulane School of Science and Engineering Tulane Law School Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment Tulane University - Freeman School of Business Tulane University School of Professional Advancement

05/22/2026

🔙Last month, the 2025-2026 Center for Ethics Graduate Fellow cohort closed out a productive fellowship year by sharing their research during the second annual CE Graduate Fellows Presentation.🧑‍💼

Five fellows presented their dissertation projects and fielded questions. 🧑‍💻Read on to learn about the fellows and their work here: https://murphy.tulane.edu/center-ethics-hosts-second-annual-graduate-fellows-presentation.

05/21/2026

Congratulations to political economy undergraduate student Lila Duarte, who was recently awarded the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship! 🌟

This prestigious honor is awarded to students who demonstrate a commitment to careers in the environment, Tribal public policy, or Native health care as well as leadership potential, a strong record of public service, and academic achievement. Lila's dedication to environmental leadership is inspiring, and we're proud to have her as part of The Murphy Institute. 👏

🔗 Read more about Lila: https://college.tulane.edu/udall-undergraduate-scholarship-awarded-ntc-junior.

We are pleased to share that the Udall Foundation has recently awarded its coveted Undergraduate Scholarship to Newcomb-Tulane College junior Lila Duarte — a Posse Scholar who is pursuing majors in political economy and environmental studies with minors in Spanish and Native American and Indigenous studies. Duarte is the fourth-ever Tulane student to win this award.

Learn more the environmental pathway that led Lila to this achievement at college.tulane.edu/news

05/19/2026

📑 A new Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System report highlights a troubling trend: financial well-being has declined for Black Americans and young adults, even as higher-income households remain relatively stable.

Murphy Institute Executive Director and economist Gary Hoover recently spoke with Yahoo Finance about the findings, describing the current moment as a "K-shaped economy" or one increasingly split between the haves and the have-nots. 🧑‍💼

“Things are holding steady or improving for those at the top of the income and wealth scale but in decline for those at the bottom. The issue that arises out of this type of economy is sustainability,” Hoover said. 🗣️ “Our economy cannot continue on this path indefinitely.”

From a political economy perspective, this raises a deeper question:
Who is our current economic system designed to work for and who is left absorbing its risks?

🔗 Read on: https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/article/financial-well-being-has-dropped-among-black-americans-and-young-people-fed-report-finds-154919424.html.

05/18/2026

We're proud to share that of the thirty-four exceptional graduates from the Class of 2026 who were honored with a Tulane University 34 Award, two received their bachelor's degree in political economy from The Murphy Institute! 👏 👏

Congratulations to Emily Eckerman and Autumn Sommers for their outstanding accomplishments across leadership, service, and academic excellence which earned them the prestigious award. 🤩

Learn more about Emily and Autumn and their accomplishments at Tulane here: https://murphy.tulane.edu/two-political-economy-graduates-receive-tulane-34-award.

05/15/2026

Today, we celebrate our graduates as they officially become Tulane University Murphy Institute alumni! 🎓✨

Your hard work, curiosity, and commitment to understanding the world through political economy have brought you to this incredible milestone. We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make beyond worldwide.

Wherever your path leads, you’ll always be part of the Murphy community. 💚

Congratulations, Class of 2026!

05/14/2026

Last night, we held our annual Murphy Institute Senior Awards Dinner to honor graduating students in Tulane University Political Economy undergraduate and graduate programs. 🎓

It was a special evening filled with joy and celebration, recognizing the students' hard work and dedication to their studies, along with a heartfelt sendoff from Murphy faculty and staff.

Congratulations, graduates! ✨We are so proud of you.