Program in Practical Policy Projects

The student documented the existing pathways for locally-based renovation contractors to take advantage of economic opportunity in...

A previous SPPC project with Ed-Trust Midwest analyzed quantitative/administrative data from Michigan to characterize inequities in teacher quality across the state. This project used primarily qualitative methods to build on that previous study to identify promising career pathways for teachers in lower-performing districts. Students conducted background research, identified best practices, and critically examined options for improving teacher...

About half of workers—especially those who are low income or employed by small firms—lack access to a retirement savings plan through their employer. To address this issue, a growing number of states have proposed or begun implementing programs to provide access to workers whose employer does not offer a retirement plan. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is interested in learning more about recent developments in state efforts to expand coverage in retirement savings plans. For this project, students conducted internet searches and conducted in-depth case studies of 2-3 states to...

The Ann Arbor City Council asked the city’s CFO to recommend a new approach to the city’s budgeting process that would better engage citizens and produce a budget that is more responsive to their preferences. Students conducted research on best practices in peer communities, interviewed key informants and stakeholders, and made recommendations to the...

The students examined and made recommendations related to the potential benefits of multi-county public defense...

During this projects, students supported the organization’s effort to prepare for grassroots-driven community and economic development.  They researched the development of the Virginia Park neighborhood by analyzing data sets and surveys spanning from 1976 to present day in order to address the needs of residents and outline a plan for future...

The students developed  a series of policy recommendations aimed at reducing the scope and impact of antiquities...

The prevalence of on-line retirement planning tools including so-called “Robo Advisors” has increased dramatically in recent years. Students explored questions such as: What is known about the availability and construction of publicly available Robo Advisors for participants to use in planning for a secure retirement, and what is the nature and quality of the advice provided? How are these on-line tools treated under law and regulation compared to human advisors and service providers? What legislative or regulatory actions, if any, can the congress and the administration take to ensure that...

The student team assisted the partner in navigating the legal and governmental requirements for possible expansion of their programs into additional...

The student team conducted a grocery store feasibility study to help the community determine if the Township has the necessary traffic to support a full service grocery store and also help to determine the best location as well as the best type of grocery store for the...

This policy project is focused on displaced workers in Michigan. The students will provide research assistance looking at the effects of technology on middle skill workers, The research findings will be used to inform strategies for re-engaging workers displaced by...

The student research assistant created a menu of avenues for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and the Huron Clinton Metro Parks to work together in moving forward with a public-private...

The student provided ACCESS with strategic planning support, including qualitative program evaluation (survey design and implementation, focus groups), agency-wide theory of change model, etc., to help streamline internal...

Students supported the development of a Climate Health Agenda for the eastside of Detroit through policy research, working with government departments at various levels, and utilization of project management...

Soularadity in Highland Park is a community driven, energy justice non-profit building a brighter future with education, organizing and people-powered clean...

The students provided a concept paper which analyzed the feasibility of the US Government working with the Government of Azerbaijan to develop its capacity to provide maritime security in the Caspian Sea as a block on...

The students worked with PACENation on policy research and recommendations regarding a potential residential PACE program in...

The research fellow worked with the office of State Representative Kevin Coleman and conducted a 50 state feasibility study of nursing home responses to the COVID-19...

Students partnered with the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative to create a toolkit to assist with grant applications, brought together knowledge on “agrihoods,” and collected information to improve property maintenance code...

Summer fellows evaluated and challenged the barriers to equity faced by students in the Oakland County School District. Using data primarily from government and research institutions, the fellows analyzed discrepancies in schools based on factors such as race, income, and school budget, and made policy recommendations to the...

To support Michigan reformers in their consideration of possibly adopting the top-two primary, the P3E student team conducted research and produced a report on the likely benefits and challenges of adopting the top-two primary in...

This project examined the connection between schools and the juvenile justice system that creates barriers to diversity, equity, and...

The team of students developed a strategy and action plan to achieve legislative support for the commercial ports of...

Five students partnered with Peace and Justice in Detroit to support the organization’s grassroots efforts to improve police and community relations in the City of Detroit.  The students reviewed the Detroit Police Department’s policies and provided recommendations that included  the use of more intensive de-escalation and trauma training for both police officers and...

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...

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...

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...

Student research assistant is helping with the design of a comprehensive, integrated service delivery system for workforce development by integrating workforce and essential skills...

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...

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...