Science Technology and Public Policy

Research centers

Research, learning, and impactThe Ford School is home to or co-sponsor of a growing number of active, multi-disciplinary research centers and initiatives leveraging the knowledge and expertise across the University of Michigan. They serve as a resour...

In the Media

Administration rules on research put innovation at risk - Parthasarathy

Jun 12, 2026 Bloomberg

The Trump administration is pushing changes to rules that govern how federal agencies distribute funding, which could permanently politicize research in the US.

In the Media

Green: "Antagonism toward data centers is real and organic"

Jun 10, 2026 Fortune

Amid allegations of Chinese interference in the data center debate, Ben Green argues that the increased negative public attitude surrounding them is real and organic.

In the Media

State governments are experimenting with AI introduction - Kleinman

May 22, 2026 Michigan Advance

STPP Managing Director Molly Kleinman says state governments don't have clear guidelines on using AI.

Publication

Parthasarathy proposes people-first technology regulation

May 21, 2026

Shobita Parthasarathy publishes her third column in Science, “'Sacrifice subjects' and a proposal for people-first technology regulation."

Policy Matters

Featured Fordie: Tanasorn (Wave) Junkrapor (MPP '26)

Apr 8, 2026

Tansaorn (Wave) Junkrapor (MPP ‘26) shares how working for Thailand’s Department of Local Administration taught him that effective policy comes from listening to the people it impacts, and how he’s now focused on using data to make AI work for vulner...

News

Innovation as a force for equity

Mar 27, 2026

In an essay published in Issues in Science and Technology, Shobita Parthasarathy on the current lack of equity in science and innovation and argues that, to change this, "society needs to think differently about expertise, innovation itself, and syst...

News

Green shares data center concerns with Michigan lawmakers

Feb 15, 2026

The Ford School's Ben Green testified before members of Michigan's House Subcommittee on Oversight regarding the anticipated impacts data centers will have on Michiganders. Various networks have covered Green's expertise on this issue.

Policy Matters

STPP’s Experiential Learning opportunity spotlights how science and technology policies can uplift the Michigan consumer

Feb 13, 2026

Students Henry Smith (BA '27) and Aanvi Arora (BA '27) discuss their experiences working with State Representative Jason Morgan's office through STPP's Experiential Learning opportunity

News

Shobita Parthasarathy on how to repair trust in science

Jan 26, 2026

In her second column for Science Magazine, Ford School Professor Shobita Parthasarathy argues that rather than treating the growing crisis of public trust as an information and communication problem, we should treat it as an innovation and expertise ...

A person gesturing while speaking at a podium in front of a blackboard, in a lecture hall.

In the Media

Kleinman comments on DPD use of ShotSpotter

Dec 16, 2025 Michigan Advance

Molly Kleinman comments on the Detroit Police Department use of ShotSpotter

In the Media

Green addresses data center forum

Dec 4, 2025 Michigan Advance

Ford School professor Ben Green addressed citizen concerns about data centers at a forum in Howell, Michigan

In the Media

Kleinman outlines potential effects of data centers

Dec 3, 2025 Michigan Advance

Molly Kleinman, managing director of the Science, Technology, and Public policy program, outlines the potential harmful environmental effects of data centers.

News

Green discusses local impacts of data centers

Nov 30, 2025

Ford School professor Ben Green's research on the impacts of data centers recently caught the eye of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection, which asked him to deliver a presentation on the topic to its Citizens Advisory Council on Nov...

Policy Matters

Student curated programming to meet the moment

Nov 24, 2025

CRJ's Katrina Hamann recaps the the three-part "Let's Unpack That" series hosted by the Center for Racial Justice. Drawing on student feedback, the series focused on immigration policy, AI policy, and election policy.

students and community members gathered in the trotter multicultural center for unpacking immigration policy

In the Media

Green comments on community push-back on data centers

Oct 29, 2025 Gizmodo

“I don’t think that the case is super compelling for what these data centers are bringing to the table,” Ben Green, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Information, told Gizmodo. “And I think that is borne out by just how...

News

Discussing "Competing energy futures" at the Ford School

Oct 26, 2025

Decarbonization initiatives and renewable energy investments are compatible with the massive new energy requirements of the data center age, according to a panel of experts who spoke at the Ford School. What is needed is government policy that can gu...

News

Hassan’s summer fieldwork explores politics and practice of AI development in Africa

Oct 17, 2025

Building on his long-term research on technology and decolonialization, Yousif Hassan's summer fieldwork examined the politics of AI and international development in Africa, with a focus on local agency, imagination, and innovation.

News

MiST fellowship brings science research to the Statehouse

Oct 10, 2025

The new Michigan Science, Technology, and Public Policy (MiST) fellowship program will provide lawmakers and state agencies with dedicated, in-house science advice to support evidence-based policy starting in summer 2026.

Michigan State Capitol is the legislative government of Michigan State, at 100 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, Michigan MI, USA.

Publication

Owen-Smith presents alternative research methods for measuring AI’s economic impact

Oct 9, 2025

Policymakers do not have the data they need to fully understand AI’s impact on the U.S. economy, labor force, and industries. Jason Owen-Smith and experts from across the U.S. address this gap in a new policy report from AEI.

Publication

Shobita Parthasarathy’s “Expert Voices” column in Science: Beware the drive to scale technology

Sep 19, 2025

Ford School Professor Shobita Parthasarathy has been invited to serve as an “Expert Voices” columnist for Science over the next two years. Read her inaugural column, “Beware the drive to scale technology.”

News

Hassan co-organizes workshop at University of Nairobi to chart Africa’s data future

Aug 6, 2025

Yousif Hassan co-organized and facilitated the “Empowering Africa Through Data Governance” workshop at the University of Nairobi this July.

News

Kleinman gives keynote on AI regulation at Michigan civil rights forum

Aug 6, 2025

Molly Kleinman delivered the keynote address at “Local and State Government in the Age of AI: Innovation, Civil Rights, and Policy,” a forum hosted by the Michigan Council on Government and Education on July 16. The event brought together leaders fro...

molly kleinman speaking on AI regulation at Michigan civil rights forum

News

Prestigious National Academies committee appoints Parthasarathy

Jul 25, 2025

Ford School professor Shobita Parthasarathy has been appointed to the Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication, a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) committee that was established in 2016 to advance ethical...

Publication

Growth of data centers requires new policies to mitigate local community impacts

Jul 17, 2025

The rapid growth of data centers, with their enormous energy and water demands, requires targeted policy interventions to mitigate environmental impacts and protect local communities. A new report by the University of Michigan’s Science, Technology, ...

News

Kleinman shares AI expertise with local policymakers

Jul 7, 2025

Molly Kleinman provided the Ypsilanti City Council with an overview of the common types of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in use today, how it can be useful to local governments, and common concerns about its use. She also offered to be a resource as t...

News

State-level AI legislation can guide fair housing practices

May 20, 2025

As the number of artificial intelligence (AI)-related measures introduced in U.S. state and territorial legislatures continues to grow, policymakers, advocates and consumers can seize the moment to assure that the technology is promoting fair housing...

Publication

Hassan on AI, power, and decolonial possibility in Africa

Apr 29, 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an increasingly defining force, shaping global advancements and influencing crucial aspects of society. Assistant professor Yousif Hassan’s research examines the social, economic, and political implications of emerging...

News

Shobita Parthasarathy selected as an Institute for Advanced Study Scholar

Apr 7, 2025

In an era of rapid technological advancement, ensuring that innovation benefits everyone is urgent. Shobita Parthasarathy, professor and director of the Ford School’s Science, Technology, and Public Policy program, studies how technological innovatio...

Publication

U-M study highlights urgent need to train students about the ethical, social, and policy dimensions of STEM

Apr 2, 2025

Advances in fields like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and data science are rapidly shaping society and raising significant ethical and policy questions. The dizzying pace of development also highlights the need for academic programs that pr...