| Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Core faculty

Barry Rabe

J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy
Rabe examines the political feasibility and durability of environmental and energy policy, with a particular emphasis on efforts to address climate change in the U.S. and other federal systems. His most recent books examine the politics of carbon pricing and the limitations of unilateral executive branch policy actions. Current research explores the politics of intensive but short-lived greenhouse gases, such as methane and HFCs. Recent policy engagement includes work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Interior, the Department of Commerce, and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
Emeritus faculty

Robert F. Schoeni

In memoriam - Research Professor, Institute for Social Research; Professor of Economics; Professor of Public Policy (by courtesy)
In memoriam—Bob passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Read more about Bob's life. Bob Schoeni is a research professor at the Institute for Social Research and professor of economics, with a courtesy appointment at the Ford School. He is also…
Emeritus faculty

Carl P. Simon

Professor Emeritus of Public Policy, Mathematics, and Complex Systems
Simon was the founding director of the U-M Center for the Study of Complex Systems. His research centers on the dynamics of covid-19, of crime, of teenage smoking, and of Great Lakes salmon. He was named the 2007 LSA Distinguished Senior Lecturer.
Core faculty

David E. Thacher

Associate Professor of Public Policy and Urban Planning
As an associate professor of public policy and urban planning, Thacher’s research draws from philosophy, history, and the interpretive social sciences to develop and apply a humanistic approach to policy research. Most of his work has focused on criminal justice policy, where he has undertaken studies of order maintenance policing, the local police role in homeland security, community policing reform, the distribution of safety and security, prisoner re-entry, and criminal justice discretion.
Emeritus faculty

Susan E. Waltz

Professor Emerita of Public Policy
Waltz specializes in human rights and international affairs, with a focus on arms transfer policy and regional expertise on North Africa. She also maintains the website Human Rights Advocacy and the History of International Human Rights Standards, hosted by U-M. For some 15 years she was involved in international efforts to promote an international Arms Trade Treaty and has more recently focused on U.S. firearms export regulations.
Emeritus faculty

Janet A. Weiss

Mary C. Bromage Collegiate Professor Emerita of Business; Professor Emerita of Public Policy
Weiss does research on policies to improve the leadership and management of public and nonprofit agencies. Weiss founded the Nonprofit and Public Management Center, and is currently the faculty director of the Nonprofit Board Fellowship program. She is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, and has been a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences.
Emeritus faculty

Marina v. Whitman

Professor Emerita of Public Policy and Business Administration
Marina v.N. Whitman is professor emerita of business administration and public policy. From 1979 until 1992 she was an officer of the General Motors Corporation, first as vice president and chief economist and later as vice president and group…
Core faculty

Dean Yang

Professor of Economics and Public Policy
Yang's research is on the economic problems of developing countries. His specific areas of interest include: international migration, microfinance, health, corruption, political economy, and the economics of disasters. He teaches a Ford School course on the economics of developing countries, as well as a PhD course in development economics.
Core faculty

James J. Duderstadt

In memoriam: President Emeritus and University Professor of Science and Engineering
In memoriam: James J. Duderstadt is President Emeritus and University Professor of Science and Engineering. A graduate of Yale ('64 BSE in electrical engineering) and Caltech ('65 MS and '67 PhD in engineering science and physics), Duderstadt's…
Core faculty

Shobita Parthasarathy

Professor of Public Policy; Director, Science, Technology, and Public Policy program
Parthasarathy studies the governance of emerging science and technology and the politics of evidence and expertise in policy in comparative and international perspective. Her current research focuses on equity in innovation and innovation policy. She co-hosts The Received Wisdom podcast.