| Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Program in Practical Policy Projects

Communities of Interest Video

September 2020 - December 2020
The students worked with Voters Not Politicians (VNP) to create a video to raise awareness of Communities of Interest (COIs) to engage historically underrepresented and marginalized communities in the redistricting process.  The video is being used in VNP’s public engagement...
Program in Practical Policy Projects

Beneficial Uses for Coal Bottom Ash

September 2020 - December 2020
The project involved identifying, describing, mapping, and making recommendations about the myriad rules, regulations, and restrictions relating to the usage of coal bottom ash, an industrial byproduct, as well as how to transport the material in an environmentally safe...
Program in Practical Policy Projects

Resources for Southeast Michigan Micro-businesses

September 2020 - December 2021
The team of students provided a report for the New Economy Initiative to share with state and local policymakers and key stakeholder that includes a catalog of the resources and services available today to micro-businesses in Detroit and the metro area, and identified local and state policies/ ordinances/rules in peer regions that advance and/or hinder the growth of...
Program in Practical Policy Projects

Workforce Development Research Assistant

December 2020 - April 2021
Student research assistant is helping with the design of a comprehensive, integrated service delivery system for workforce development by integrating workforce and essential skills...
Program in Practical Policy Projects

Active Transportation Pilot Project – Asset Mapping

December 2020 - April 2021
The City of Adrian, MI, Active Transportation Pilot Project with the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regarding non-motorized trails and Complete Streets project.  The internship provided an asset mapping demonstrating where assets are in relationship to the current and planned trail/Complete Streets features locations.  The work may also involve additional surveying of the targeted population over time and designing an evaluation plan to assess the project’s...
Program in Practical Policy Projects

Michigan’s Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration

January 2021 - April 2021
The project involved research and writing policy recommendations related to Michigan’s Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration to build the power of individuals and families to challenge the root causes of poverty, advance justice, and promote human development through neighborhood-driven community organizing and civic...
Program in Practical Policy Projects

Michigan Food Security Council Research Project

January 2021 - April 2021
COVID-19 has highlighted issues across Michigan’s food assistance programs. In order to better understand and rectify these inequalities, the Michigan Food Security Council’s Food Security Policy Workgroup and the Ford School conducted an environmental scan of food assistance and food security policies, and also completed a literature review that describes the effectiveness and requirements of various food...
Program in Practical Policy Projects

Livonia Police Data Analysis

January 2021 - April 2021
This project involved an examination of diversity, equity, and inclusion policing issues in the city of Livonia, Michigan.  The student team examined the correlation between race and interactions with police in Livonia using criminal justice data, census information, and other available...
Program in Practical Policy Projects

2nd House District Water Infrastructure Funding

January 2021 - April 2021
The students developed a water infrastructure asset map that identifies stakeholders, agencies, and updates at every level of government that impact the area. Final deliverables also included information about funding opportunities for infrastructure repair from philanthropy and federal...
Program in Practical Policy Projects

University Artic Institute Gap Analysis

January 2021 - April 2021
Students worked with the U.S. Department of Energy's Arctic Energy Office to create an “Arctic Research Resource Compendium,” which identified and cataloged university-based Arctic research institutes in the U.S. and Canada. The research resources included a list of Arctic and polar institutes, the focus of each of these institutes, and specific research projects of interest, particularly in the energy, environment and climate...