Inside the policy-academic ecosystem
How relationships and policy tools help public institutions and Ford School experts co-produce research, test solutions, and scale what works.
Read more on this theme in the Fall 2025 edition
Faculty expertise
Can scholarship shape democracy?
Samuel Bagenstos, Arlene Susan Kohn Professor of Social Policy
From arguing cases for the Justice Department to investigating why expanded social benefits were rolled back, Samuel Bagenstos explores the intersection of law, policy, and public service.
Read how Bagenstos drives public sector change
In addition
Policy Matters
Leading thinkers go beneath the surface to highlight perspectives, research, and lived experiences you won't find in the headlines—but should.
Policy matters
What's missing from today's policy conversation?
Student spotlights
Wolverines put policy to work
Students build real-world skills through internships—improving access to health and safety-net programs while advancing clean water, civil rights, and global health.
Read about student internships
Go blue, go global!
Over spring break, annual policy study trips took undergrads to Brussels for the BA Global Engagement Seminar and graduate students to Colombia for the International Policy in Practice seminar.
The last word
The last word: Jeffrey Morenoff
Associate dean of research and policy engagement
This winter, 12 students stepped into paid consulting roles to support local governments in Michigan and beyond. Professor Jeffrey Morenoff shares what the initiative means for government partners and student professional development.
Read the last word
In this edition of State & Hill, we showcase Fordies connecting research to real needs and serving communities with creativity and care, both close to home and around the globe.
Read about the ways the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy has connected with Michigan's communities for the past 25 years. Luke Shaefer answers questions about what he hopes to accomplish in his new role as Chief Executive of Health, Human Services & Poverty Solutions for the City of Detroit. We also go beyond the media headlines to share perspectives from energy economist Catherine Hausman and aging expert Michael Costa (MPP '82) on policy issues you should know about.
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Dean: Celeste Watkins-Hayes; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Kathryn Dominguez; Associate Dean for Research and Policy Engagement: Jeffrey Morenoff; Director of Marketing: Quanda Hunter; Managing Editor: Rebecca Cohen (MPP '09); Art Lead: Madison Brow; Contributors: Lauren Fuller (MPP/JD '26), Sheri Hall, Margaret Peterman (BA '27), Tracey Van Dusen; Multimedia contributors: Chris Myers, Madie OFarrell, Joe Payovich, Jordan Wilson; Class Notes Editor: Elisabeth Johnston; Photographers: Kelly Beharry, Fatimah Bolhassan, Dieu-Nalio Chery, Jon Hanson, Andrew Mascharka, Michigan Photography, Allison Shelley, Scott C. Soderberg, Kimi Zamuda; Design: Savitski Design; Printer: University Lithoprinters, Inc
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