Research & Impact | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Research & Impact

Broad, interdisciplinary expertise, at work for the public good
Faculty directory

Explore the latest research insights from the Ford School and how, in partnership with communities, our faculty help turn their expertise into actionable policy solutions.
Resilient democracies

Helping local governments make financial data more accessible

Why it matters: A new free, open-source tool, developed by the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy and DAC Bond, helps small local governments meet federal financial reporting requirements with minimal technical expertise, reducing stress for municipalities with limited capacity.
Read the study
Image of a street with Detroit buildings in the background.
Detroit

Detroiters speak—and leaders listen

Why it matters: For a decade, the Detroit Metro Area Communities Study has amplified Detroiters’ voices. DMACS data enables city leaders to hear directly from residents about their everyday needs and priorities—shaping conversations, guiding investments, and driving change through insights from 5,000+ participants.
Read about DMACS’s impact on Detroit
The cover photo of the project aware grant report: the image of the middle part of the body of two people sitting close to each other during a conversation.
Education policy

A blueprint for youth mental health services

Why it matters: Rural schools often have limited access to mental health care services. U-M’s Youth Policy Lab found Project AWARE strengthened training, referrals, and coordination—helping more youth access care and offering a model Michigan can scale statewide.
Read the evaluation
Kamissa Camara
Diplomacy & international policy

Evolving terrorism in the Sahel

Zooming in: Former Ambassador Kamissa Camara was one of 85 subject matter experts convened at the NATO Strategic Direction-South Hub Conference to discuss terrorism in the Sahel and the region’s future.
Read about the conference
Poverty and social policy

Michigan redefines support for new families

Why it matters: Studies show families are poorest when welcoming a new baby—the most critical time for infant development.

What happened: Luke Shaefer co-founded Rx Kids, Michigan's first community-wide prenatal and infant cash 'prescription' program. It provides security and flexibility, letting families spend support on childcare, rent, baby supplies, food, or healthcare.

What's next: In October 2025, the State of Michigan committed $270M to the program, which is expected to reach nearly 100,000 babies over the next three years, or about one-third of all births in the state.
Read about Rx Kids impact
Five adults smiling, one holding a framed children's artwork.
Nuclear power plant with four steam-emitting cooling towers located in a green landscape with a winding road.
Science & technology

New nuclear requires strong governance to avoid making old mistakes

Research insights: Drawing on 40+ historical case studies, the Ford School’s Science, Technology, and Public Policy program examines implications of small modular reactors—and calls for policies that maximize public benefit while minimizing risks.
Read about the study
Dean Yang
Diplomacy & international policy

Brain drain or brain gain?

Research insights: While migration of highly skilled individuals is often seen as negative for origin countries, recent research from development economist Dean Yang shows it can have surprising benefits, including education and economic gains.
Read the study
Heavy afternoon traffic in Mountain View, Silicon Valley, California; cars stopped at a traffic light
Poverty and social policy

Transportation insecurity: A common and consequential American hardship

Why it matters: Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults lack reliable transportation—a hardship more common than food or housing — according to research from Alexandra Murphy and Natasha Pilkauskas. They argue policymakers be part of policy conversations to reduce poverty and promote health.
Read about the study
Photo of a young child, held in the lap of an a guardian or teacher, reading a book
Education policy

Targeted help, not being held back, offers leg up to students struggling with reading

Research insights: Policies calling for elementary students to repeat a grade to improve reading are widespread—if unpopular—across the U.S., but research shows benefits to students come from the support services put in place once they are flagged to repeat a grade, not the retention itself.
Read about the report
Partner with us

Faculty expertise

Our faculty, research centers, and students serve as a resource and help identify and solve complex challenges facing our communities. They partner with us for:

-Expert testimony
-Policy analysis
-Media commentary
-Semester class team research projects
-Individual or teams of research assistants
-Summer internships or fellowships
-Free resources for your constituents
Find an expert
Kathryn Dominguez speaks to prospective students at the Ford School's Spring Preview

Dedicated to the public good

Our faculty, alumni, and staff are making an impact in our communities and our world. Click below to read about the many ways in which we’re engaged.

  • Our community recognizes the urgent global climate crisis and is working on interdisciplinary policy solutions rooted in community engagement, economics, political science, psychology, and urban planning. Explore our impact on climate change, energy, and environment >>

    Urgent questions at the intersection of science, technology, and public policy are shaping nearly every aspect of our society. Science and technology policies shape the environment, transportation, communication, public safety, social services, and much more. Explore our impact on science and technology policy >>

    From cradle through career, education programs exist to help children and youth learn, grow, and succeed in school and in life. But how do decision makers know which interventions work? How can their investments address institutional and systemic inequalities in education? Explore our impact on education policy >>

    To address today's global challenges, we need professionals who have a strong grounding in history and social science and who can apply that knowledge to complex practical problems. Explore our impact on diplomacy and international policy >>

    Driven by our values of community, respect, and inclusion, our work in Detroit is place-based, relevant, and collaborative. We partner with city and county agencies, philanthropic organizations, businesses, neighborhood groups, and nonprofits. We conduct rigorous research and engage with the people from around the city. Explore our impact in Detroit >>

    Freedom of the press, rule of law, free and fair elections, human rights, expression, and separation of powers sustain democracy. These principles require ongoing work, reform, and commitment to protect a healthy, representative system. Explore our impact on resilient democracies >>

Dynamic research centers

Engaging communities, informing policy, and expanding student experiences at the Ford School

Browse by topic: courses, experts, news, and more

Analytic methods Domestic policy Economics and finance Education Climate change, energy, and environment Ethics Gender, race and ethnicity Health Human rights International development International policy and diplomacy Leadership Politics Poverty and social policy Public and nonprofit management Science and technology Security Writing

Have any questions?

Contact