The Ford School will launch a new research center this fall, a first-of-its kind initiative designed to shed light on how public policy can most effectively navigate the opportunities and challenges posed by societies that are becoming increasingly diverse locally, nationally, and internationally.
International migration and differential rates of birth and mortality continue to drive complex changes in the composition of communities, highlighting the need to confront their diversity in terms of culture, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic status. Academic researchers have tackled the resulting issues from a variety of perspectives, including the social sciences, education, business, and law. But with the opening of the Center for Public Policy in Diverse Societies, the Ford School will be home to the first university-based effort focused specifically on the public policy issues associated with diversity.
The new center will build on intellectual resources from around the University as well as those already present at the Ford School. The center will initially be funded by the U-M Provost’s office, the U-M’s National Center for Institutional Diversity, and the Ford School. We will be seeking funding support from foundations and donors to sustain and expand the work of the center.
Below is a formatted version of this article from State & Hill, the magazine of the Ford School. View entire Fall 2009 State & Hill here.