Stories Tagged ‘Educated Guesses’ 
Educated Guesses 2012
For the 31st consecutive year, The University of Alabama’s Office of Media Relations offers predictions from faculty experts for the coming year. While these “educated guesses” don’t always come true, our track record over the years has been good.
Obama to Battle, Beat Late-Entry Republican
President Obama is likely to win re-election in 2012, but his Republican opponent will not be one of the current candidates battling one another in the early primaries, a University of Alabama political scientist predicts.
Cuba May be State’s Next Big Customer
The Alabama business community needs to practice its Spanish, and that suggestion has nothing to do with the state’s controversial immigration law.
Online Doomsday Groups to Spike
Warnings about apocalyptic cataclysms in 2012 potentially will serve as a catalyst for Internet hysteria, a University of Alabama psychology professor predicts.
New App to Displace Craigslist, Professor Predicts
Dr. Craig E. Armstrong, assistant professor of management at The University of Alabama, says he expects someone to create, within the next year, an "app" that performs "Craigslist" functions for the exchange of goods and services.
Social Media to Serve as New Opinion Polls
Dr. Kristen Heflin says social media will give the public more access to political candidates than ever before – and that access will include the good, the bad and the ugly.
Has the ‘Occupy’ Movement Faded? Don’t Bet on It
The Occupy Movement will be heard from again and re-emerge on the political and economic landscape more determined and forceful than ever, a University of Alabama professor predicts.
Female Running Mate May Determine Election
Whereas many eyes were on presidential candidates in the final days of 2011, one University of Alabama professor believes the vice presidential race is the one to watch.
Stressful 2011 Could Make for a Depressed 2012
2011 was a turbulent one for the people of Alabama, and a University of Alabama nursing professor thinks many will feel the effects mentally during 2012.
Year of Natural Disaster to Bring Changes in 2012
2011 often felt like the 'Year of the Disaster,' and we can expect municipalities around the nation to look next year for ways to mitigate losses caused by natural disasters.
One of Least Productive Years in Congressional History Ahead
The 2012 congressional elections will see Republicans hold onto the U.S. House of Representatives and Democrats hold onto the Senate, a University of Alabama political scientist predicts.
Tablets, Other Mobile Devices to Become More Evident in Hospitals
iPads aren’t just on little Bobby and Susie’s list – medical workers also have an iPad or other tablet device at the top of their holiday gift-wish list.
Middle East Unrest, Sputtering Economies to Keep Fuel Prices Unstable
Fuel prices will remain unstable in 2012 as pressure from all sides influence the cost of crude oil, according to a University of Alabama engineering professor who follows the petroleum markets.
Health Care Will Continue to be a Pain in the Head
The intensity and confusion surrounding the health-care debate will increase in 2012, a University of Alabama insurance expert predicts.
Occupy Protesters Unlikely to See Increase in Court Victories
Occupy Wall Street protesters can expect mixed results in litigation, says a University of Alabama First Amendment expert.
Low Interest Rates Ain’t Gonna Last
So, if interest rates are at record low levels, it’s pretty safe to predict that they are going to increase, right? “Right,” says Dr. Benton Gup, a University of Alabama finance professor, “but let’s not make the same mistakes that led to the failure and consolidation of thousands of financial institutions in the 1980s."
Gas Prices to Bounce Along with Value of the Dollar
The price we pay to fill up at the gas pump in 2011 will be determined by changes in the value of the dollar, says a University of Alabama engineering professor who follows the petroleum markets.
Little Change Expected in Interest Rates in 2011
Judging from 2010, interest rates for the coming year probably won’t change much, says Dr. Robert Reed, associate professor of economics at The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce.
Demand for Cloud Computing, Mobile Apps to Increase in 2011
While mobile technology has raced forward at light-speed in 2010, with many advances in mobile payments, augmented reality and high-speed networks, look for user demand for cloud computing and mobile apps to increase in the coming year, a University of Alabama technology expert says.
Shoppers Will Be Focused, Value Conscious in 2011
“Surgical shopping,” a pre-Christmas shopping trend, will likely carry over well into 2011 and maybe beyond, according to a University of Alabama retailing expert.
Obama Will Look for Mix of Compromise and Confrontation with GOP in 2011
President Obama will seek the right mix of compromise and confrontation in 2011 as he faces a hostile House of Representatives following the GOP takeover in November and fewer Democrats in the Senate, a University of Alabama political scientist predicts.
Educated Guesses 2011
In the 30th edition of “Educated Guesses,” The University of Alabama’s Office of Media Relations offers predictions from faculty experts for the coming year.
Iran to Cut a Deal to Stop Developing Nuclear Weapons; Small Clashes to Continue on Korean Peninsula
As tensions increase and in the shadow of a potential attack, Iran will cut a deal with world powers to stop developing nuclear weapons, a University of Alabama foreign-relations expert predicts.
Baby Boomers to Fight for Social Security, Remain Active Citizens in Retirement
Look for the baby boomer generation to fight tooth and claw to protect Social Security as the first of this large and influential group turns 65 in the coming year, says University of Alabama economist Dr. Gary Hoover.
More Students, Less Money for Education in 2011
More educational institutions, especially colleges and universities, will be forced to make drastic budget cuts in 2011, predicts Dr. Stephen Katsinas, professor of higher education administration at The University of Alabama and director of UA’s Education Policy Center.