National Poverty Center

The University of Michigan has launched a new initiative to address one of humanity's most critical and seemingly intractable problems: poverty.

Sister Simone Campbell talks about Pope Francis' challenge to mending the gaps as well as discuss her own policy proposals. March, 2016.

The authors Kathy Edin and Luke Shaefer, of the book "$2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America," discuss the major themes of their revelatory research on income inequality and extreme poverty in the United States. October, 2015.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. The Charge to the Class was delivered by U.S. Senator Carl Levin. May, 2014.

Justin Wolfers: Public pre-school enrollment for working class kids has great effects on their long-term outcomes.

Rebecca Blank investigates the problem of rising economic inequality in the United States and the various options for addressing it. April, 2014.

Robert Axelrod is the Walgreen Professor for the Study of Human Understanding; professor of political science, College of Literature, Science and the Arts; and professor of public policy, Gerald R.

The 2013 Charge to the Class was be delivered by Paul O'Neill. Also includes Susan Collins, Carl Simon, Amazin' Blue, Eli Day (BA'13) & Cynthia Rathinasamy (MPP'13). May, 2013.

Sarah Burgard, Sheldon Danziger, Harvey Hollins III, Bill O'Brien, Rochelle Riley, and Kristin S. Seefeldt discuss Michigan's recession and recovery and opportunities for the research, non-profit, and civic engagement communities.

Syndicated columnist, Clarence Page, moderates this debate between Jared Bernstein and Charles Murray on the future of inequality in America. September, 2012.

Sheldon Danziger is the Henry J. Meyer Distinguished University Professor of Public Policy and the director of the Ford School’s National Poverty Center.

Robin Wright delivered the keynote address as the Ford School celebrated our 2011 MPP, PhD, and BA graduates. May, 2011.

Michael Pan (MPP '99) delivered the keynote address as the Ford School celebrated our 2010 MPP, PhD, and BA graduates. May, 2010.

Rebecca Blank presents an overview of the Brookings Institution discussion on how the recommendations of the book, "Insufficient Funds: Savings, Assets, Credit and Banking Among Low-Income Households" might be implemented. May, 2009.

Jane Dokko talks about how individuals engage with formal and informal financial institutions presented at the Brookings "Insufficient Funds: Savings, Assets, Credit and Banking Among Low-Income Households" book discussion. May, 2009.

William Gale talks about policy and research at the Brookings Institution discussion on how the recommendations of the book, "Insufficient Funds: Savings, Assets, Credit and Banking Among Low-Income Households" might be implemented. May, 2009.

Rebecca Blank, William G. Gale, Peter Tufano, Jane Dokko, Ron Haskins and moderator Belle Sawhill join in a panel at the Brookings "Insufficient Funds: Savings, Assets, Credit and Banking Among Low-Income Households" book discussion.

William Julius Wilson discusses his forthcoming book entitled, "More than Just Race: Being Black and Poor in the Inner City" during the keynote speech of the Interdisciplinary Group on Poverty and Inequality conference. March, 2009.

Panelists Mary Pattillo, Sandra S. Smith, David Harding and moderator Sheldon Danziger talk about jobs and housing and the trust, distrust, and social class in the black community. January, 2008.

Greg Duncan and Edwina S. Tarry talk about their book titled, "Higher Ground: New Hope for the Working Poor and their Children." March, 2007.

Ron Haskins in his lecture titled, "Work Over Welfare: The Inside Story of the 1996 Welfare Reform Law" discusses the 1996 Welfare Reform Law. January, 2007.