Steven Michael Polunsky
Director of the Transportation Policy Research Center, The University of Alabama
Chapter Member: Alabama SSN
Areas of Expertise:
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About Steven
Polunsky's research focuses on government, mobility, technology, and security. He has directed state legislative committees overseeing transportation, homeland security, and commerce where he produced policy studies, evaluated and handled legislation, and managed operations and staff. Polunsky previously served as the Director of Research and Planning for the Texas High-Speed Rail Authority and Legislative Policy Analyst for the Texas Department of Transportation.
Contributions
Using Social Media to Improve Citizen Engagement with Government
Basic Facts Brief,
In the News
Steven Michael Polunsky quoted on the power of social media by R. Scott Belzer, "Public Describes Dunwoody in One Word" Champion Newspaper, January 18, 2017.
Steven Michael Polunsky quoted on the intersection of politics and social media by Evan Brandt, "Cyber Citizenship: Using Facebook to Engage with Your Government" Mercury News, July 30, 2016.
Steven Michael Polunsky quoted on public involvement in legislative committee hearings by Ross Ramsey, "More Voices, and Perhaps, More Headaches" Texas Tribune, September 24, 2015.
Steven Michael Polunsky quoted on on the Skyder Alert app by Jason Plautz, "The Climate Conspiracy Theory Coming to Your Congressman's Twitter Feed" National Journal, February 5, 2015.
Steven Michael Polunsky quoted on the potential of social media for civic engagement by Dean Hoffmeyer, "Chesterfield Begins Shooting Snapshot Series" Times-Dispatch, November 15, 2014.
"Watchdog: Time to Unmask an Open-Government Superhero," Steven Michael Polunsky, Interview with Dave Lieber, Dallas Morning News, September 18, 2014.
Steven Michael Polunsky quoted on public opinion on high-speed rail in Texas by Aman Batheja, "Bullet Train Failed Once, but It's Back" New York Times, March 6, 2014.
Steven Michael Polunsky's research on a crowdsourcing effort for new legislation regulating payday lending discussed by , "Copyright Done Right? Finland to Vote on Crowdsourced Regulations," Fast Company/ Fast Feed, July 23, 2013.
Steven Michael Polunsky quoted on the outlook for legislation addressing the payday industry by Audrey White, "Lawmakers to Again Take Aim at Predatory Lending" Texas Tribune, January 18, 2013.
Steven Michael Polunsky quoted on social media use in the Senate, "Senate Committees Push Boundaries on Social Media" Austin American-Statesman, January 29, 2012.
Steven Michael Polunsky's research on crowdsourcing legislation discussed by , "Out of the Smoke Filled Room and Onto the Internet," New York Times, October 6, 2011.
Steven Michael Polunsky quoted on using technology as a means for transparency by Vicky Garza, "Legislative Committees Use Social Media, QR Codes for Transparency" Houston Business Journal, April 29, 2011.
Publications
"Open Government Briefing Guide," (with ), Open Austin, July 31, 2014.
Provides important information about the open government and open data initiatives in Austin, and is presented to all candidates in the 2014 City of Austin municipal election.