CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The U.S. Census Bureau has named Julie A. Dowling, a University of Illinois professor of Latina and Latino studies, to its National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations.
Dowling has done extensive research on the racial identification of Latinos in the U.S., including how regional context affects Latinos’ racial responses on the U.S. census. She laid out many of her findings in her book “Mexican Americans and the Question of Race,” published earlier this year, and has been cited in stories by NBC and NPR.
The national advisory committee, on which Dowling will serve a three-year term, advises the Census Bureau on a wide range of variables that affect the cost, accuracy and implementation of its programs and surveys, including the once-a-decade census.
Dowling will be one of 10 new members on the committee, which has 32 members overall, drawn from multiple disciplines and with expertise on topics such as housing, children, poverty, privacy, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation.
“I am very honored and excited to have been given this opportunity,” Dowling said. “The Census Bureau has been conducting some very exciting research over the past few years on the measurement of race and ethnicity. I hope to contribute to this continuing discussion on how to best capture the identities and demographics of Latinos and other groups in our increasingly diverse society.”
To reach Julie Dowling, call 217-265-5502; email dowlingj@illinois.edu.
