Alyssa Maurice has been appointed as president of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey chapter of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, according to a March 23 announcement. Maurice currently serves as assistant director and head of research and polling at the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy.
Maurice said her new role is an opportunity to foster collaboration, promote best practices, and support upcoming researchers in the field. “This chapter is made up of a really diverse community of practitioners across academia, government, and private industry who are all committed to advancing high-quality research,” she said. “For me, it’s an opportunity to help foster collaboration, elevate best practices, and support the next generation of researchers. I also see it as a chance to strengthen regional connections and ensure that our work continues to inform public understanding and decision-making in meaningful ways.”
She discussed recent changes in polling methods due to shifts in communication habits among the public. Fewer people respond to unknown calls now, leading pollsters to use methods such as text-to-web or online panels instead of traditional phone surveys. She noted that declining trust in institutions has also affected participation rates: “At the same time, trust in institutions continues to plummet and polling has been no exception…we’re also working to overcome that skepticism we’re facing from the public.” Maurice emphasized transparency for building trust: “Researchers have a responsibility to clearly communicate how data was collected, what the limitations are, and how findings should be interpreted…Building that trust is essential if we want this industry to thrive.” She added: “Polling may be imperfect, but it’s still the best tool we have to understand the will of the people. It’s crucial for our democracy that people have a voice. Polling gives voters a seat at the table in the decision-making process.”
Maurice outlined her goals for her term as president which include strengthening engagement efforts within AAPOR’s regional chapter by fostering collaboration across sectors and expanding professional development opportunities through events like their Lunch and Learn series—soon available on YouTube—and co-sponsoring competitions with other chapters.
In addition to her leadership role with AAPOR’s local chapter, Maurice leads Stockton University’s Polling Institute where she moderates election debates and engages students through free events aimed at encouraging civic participation.
Looking ahead, Maurice hopes these efforts will help build stronger connections among professionals while supporting student involvement in public opinion research.
