John D. Skrentny
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About John
Skrentny's research focuses on work; education; and policy. Overarching themes in Skrentny's writings include how higher education and employment can be better organized and regulated to provide equal opportunities for students and workers and help them to achieve their own and society's goals. Skrentny is a former leader of the SSN San Diego Chapter; and a former director of the Yankelovich Center for Social Science Research. Skrentny has served in an advisory capacity with several organizations in Southern California; mostly focused on inclusiveness and economic development.
Contributions
Why Does Immigration Arouse Deep Feelings and Conflicts?
Affirmative Action and Its Future
In the News
Publications
Investigates the reasons why STEM graduates are opting out of STEM work, and argues that the problem is not education, but STEM work culture. Highlights aspects of STEM work culture that are to blame, ranging from “burn and churn” management practices, lack of job security, constant training for a never-ending stream of new—and often socially harmful—technologies, and the exclusion of women, people of color, and older workers.
Shows that foreign PhDs apply to and receive job offers from technology startups at the same rate as US PhDs, but are less than half as likely to work in a startup. Presents evidence that this discrepancy is not explained by foreign PhDs’ preferences for established firm jobs, risk tolerance, or preference for higher pay, suggesting that visa policies may deter foreign PhDs from working in startups.
Examines how President Obama used executive action to secure support from Latino voters despite his inability to deliver comprehensive immigration reform.
Analyzes the different components of comprehensive immigration reform and shows their varying basis in constitutional and statutory law, highlighting that the repeated failure of border enforcement has not been an impediment to its entrenchment as a strategy for congressional lawmaking.