OCJ provides oversight and serves on the selection committee for the Consumer Protection Research Grant. This partnership with the University of Oregon helps us grow awareness and understanding of the consumer injustices affecting our communities.

This grant is designed specifically to explore consumer protection in Oregon, including how we can best safeguard ourselves against unfair, deceptive, or predatory business practices.

For 2025-26, the grant committee has selected eight projects to fund, covering timely topics related to wildfire insurance, AI regulation, consumer stereotyping, and more.

Check out summaries below of current research, or visit the University of Oregon’s website for a list of these and all previous projects.

Faculty Awards

1. Trading in the Dark

   Oregon has seen an increase in overnight trading, a practice that poses consumer risk due to its lack of regulation, misleading industry promotion, and disproportionately high costs to retail investors. Preliminary findings show negative consequences of overnight trading for market participants who trade during regular market hours, highlighting the importance of understanding its full impact and opportunities for intervention.

2. Race, Gender, and Consumer Credibility

   This research explores how race and gender-based stereotypes influence perceptions of consumer credibility when individuals share negative experiences with products or services. Prior studies suggest that socioeconomic status, race, and gender shape how consumers are judged, affecting outcomes such as warranty claims and online reviews. By identifying these biases, the study seeks to highlight systemic disparities in consumer experiences.

3. Documenting Oregon's Home Insurance Crisis Amid Rising Wildfire Risk

   Wildfires have intensified across the western U.S., leading to rising home insurance premiums and reduced coverage, particularly in Oregon. This has created an "insurance crisis," disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including low-income and manufactured home owners. Researchers will use a mixed-methods study using geospatial data, regulatory filings, and case studies in high-risk counties to assess consumer experiences and advocate for stronger protections.

4. Protecting Consumers' Privacy in Accessing Wi-Fi Services

   Public Wi-Fi networks pose significant privacy and security risks for consumers, including exposure to cyber threats like identity theft and fraud. This research seeks to explore a new Privacy-Enhanced-Access (PEA) policy, which mandates mutual authentication between users and Wi-Fi providers. The long-term goal is to develop and implement privacy-enhanced Wi-Fi standards that better protect consumers from tracking, profiling, and unauthorized data collection.

5. Children and Chatbots: Regulating Generative AI and Synthetic Media in Oregon

   This research investigates how generative AI chatbots and digital companions impact children and young adults, raising concerns about data privacy, misinformation, consumer manipulation, and mental health risks. While laws such as the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and Oregon's Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA) offer some safeguards, they may not fully address the risks posed by AI-driven platforms designed for children. The project will conduct comparative legal research, focus groups, interviews, and surveys to examine how young people interact with these technologies, the risks they face, and potential regulatory solutions.

Graduate Student Awards

6. TikTok Refugees Find a Home in Xiaohongshu (RedNote): Implications for Oregon Consumers

   This study investigates consumer protection concerns for Oregon consumers migrating from TikTok to RedNote following the U.S. government's “TikTok ban.” Through interviews and surveys, the research explores how digital literacy influences users' understanding of platform risks, terms of service, and their rights under Oregon law—with a focus on those who relied on TikTok for income and now face economic vulnerability. The study aims to inform policies and educational efforts that better support consumers in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

7. Outsized Impacts: Medical Sexual Assault Protections and Prevention for Patient-Consumers

   Medical sexual assault (MSA)—which includes inappropriate sexual behavior by healthcare providers—is a widespread but underreported issue across our state and nation. Survivors often suffer long-term mental and physical health consequences and may avoid future medical care, worsening health outcomes, and increasing costs. While Oregon has strong legal frameworks to address MSA, gaps remain in public education about this issue. Leveraging interview-based research on patient experiences, this project aims to develop effective educational tools and improve patient safety.

8. Wildfires and Property Insurance Premiums in Oregon

   This project aims to inform Oregonians about the relationship between the Oregon State Wildfire Hazard Map and property insurance costs in the state. It will analyze extensive documentation from state government and national groups to determine a timeline of legislative decisions, the map's implementation, and rising property insurance costs across the state. This analysis aims to inform policy recommendations that include interventions in the insurance industry, subsidies for low- and moderate-income households, and possible amendments to the Oregon FAIR Plan.