Elisabeth R. Gerber
Elisabeth R. Gerber is the Jack L. Walker, Jr. Professor of Public Policy at the Ford School and inaugural Faculty Director of the School’s new Online Master of Public Affairs program (to launch January 2026). Her research focuses on regionalism and intergovernmental cooperation, sustainable development, urban climate adaptation, transportation policy, community and economic development, local fiscal capacity, and local political accountability. She is the co-PI (with Jeffrey Morenoff and Mara Ostfeld) of the Detroit Metro Area Communities Study (DMACS), an ongoing public opinion panel survey of Detroit adults. She is also the faculty founder of ViewPoint, a software platform for creating, facilitating and participating in educational role-play simulations.
Educational background
- PhD in political science, University of Michigan (1991)
- MA in political science, University of Michigan (1989)
- BA in political science and economics, University of Michigan (1986)
with High Honors and High Distinction
Professional affiliations
- Faculty Director, Online Master of Public Affairs program, Ford School
- Faculty Associate, Center for Political Studies, Institute for Social Research
- Professor of Political Science (by courtesy)
Current research
Gerber’s research focuses on regionalism and intergovernmental cooperation, sustainable development, urban climate adaptation, transportation policy, community and economic development, local fiscal capacity, and local political accountability.
Recent publications
- "When Mayors Matter: Estimating the Impact of Mayoral Partisanship on City Policy," with Daniel Hopkins. American Journal of Political Science. 55:2, 326-339.
- "Prospects for Expanding Regional Planning Efforts," with Carolyn Loh. 2011. Urban Studies.
- "Balancing Regionalism and Localism: How Institutions and Incentives Shape American Transportation Policy," with Clark C. Gibson. 2009. American Journal of Political Science 53:3, 633-48.
- "Explaining Horizontal and Vertical Cooperation in Michigan," with Jered B. Carr and Eric Lupher. 2009. In Sustaining Michigan. Richard W. Jelier and Gary Sands, editors. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Press. 207-36.
