Inside IPPSR is a publication of the Institute for Public
Policy and Social Research.
It provides a brief update on current policy and survey research news.
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Vol. 2 Issue 1 |
Inside this Issue: Land use survey | Political leadership news | Data on Demand | OSR in the field | Policy forum resources | Urban policy papers | Data analyzed | Complete
Issue  Director's Message  |
Vol. 1 Issue 2 March 2003 |
Report and Resource Guide 2002-2003: The Institute printed a brochure-style snapshot on 2002 activities and 2003 resources and published a complete 17-page version online. | |
Vol. 1 Issue 1 September 2002 |
Inside this Issue: BRAD card study | Political leadership news | Civil liberties study | OSR In the field | Policy forum resources | Health policy papers | Evaluation grant tools | Complete
Issue Director's Message |
Director's Message
As
I complete my final month as Director of the Institute for Public Policy
and Social Research, I am struck by the ever increasing demand for its
rich resources in nonpartisan research and political leadership. In fact,
when I assume my new position as LeRoy Collins Eminent Scholar Chair in
Civic Education and Political Science at Florida State University, I plan
to continue utilizing IPPSR’s
top-notch services and products.
While I am sad to be leaving IPPSR, I am pleased to be handing the reins over to Interim Director Douglas B. Roberts, former Michigan State Treasurer who holds a Ph.D. in economics. Doug has been an integral part of Michigan policymaking for three decades and brings enormous skill and experience to the Institute. His blend of high-level practical background and strong economic training will be pivotal in identifying issues and sponsoring research relevant and important to state policymakers. The permanent director position will be filled via a national search headed by Professor of Political Science David Rohde.
It has been my honor and certainly a pleasure to head IPPSR over the past three years and to work with top-notch staff, excellent faculty, and an attentive and responsive set of stakeholders across the state of Michigan. IPPSR serves the university and the state in ways that are more essential now than at any other time in its existence. I feel confident it will continue to serve policymakers, the public, and the university with innovative and useful programs and services to link the university and the policy world. It is important work and IPPSR does it extremely well.
- Carol S. Weissert, Outgoing Director
Bridging
policymakers, practitioners and university faculty will be the top priority
during my tenure as IPPSR’s interim director. I will be focusing
on augmenting the Institute’s survey, evaluation and applied research
to assist state government leaders.
Provided in this report is a brief overview of several projects at the Institute that deserve your attention.
To assist policymakers, we have commissioned the writing of faculty papers on the cross-cutting issues of land use, social capital, and health. The research will flow from The Built Environment, Social Capital and Human Health Conference IPPSR recently co convened at Brook Lodge. Look for these papers early next year.
In the area of political leadership, our Michigan Political Leadership Program will be accepting applications for its 2004 session through September 5, 2003. Tomorrow’s Political Leaders has established advisory committees and is currently developing curriculum and recruitment materials.
The Office for Survey Research has also been very busy. Most prominent are nationwide studies on workers’ compensation and civil liberties. A host of new publications featuring OSR data are also now available.
Looking ahead, we are planning the 2004 forum series and two Family Impact Seminars on health and welfare. In land use, we are compiling a written account of MSU involvement and analyzing data from a survey of Michigan local governments on planning and zoning. Finally, we will implement a new initiative into research centering on state and local tax and budget policy.
- Douglas B. Roberts Interim Director
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The efforts of Institute for Public Policy and Social Research faculty and staff have never been more relevant. As the impacts of term limits are beginning to be felt in our state, the nonpartisan research dissemination, political leadership training, survey research and evaluation efforts of IPPSR are increasingly being recognized and appreciated by policymakers and others involved or interested in the policy arena.
IPPSR is collaborating with units on and off campus. A hallmark of the Institute is its ongoing efforts to partner with other units on campus and with other organizations off campus. 2002 has been a year of building those collaborative efforts and resulted in the following projects: a series of policy papers on health and urban issues, a book on urban issues, many events on key legislative topics, a nationwide study on alcohol use by college students, and a successful grant proposal which coordinates land use efforts across campus.
IPPSR is extending its political leadership efforts. In 2002 IPPSR provided its three-day Legislative Leadership Program to over 30 newly elected state legislators and offered its ten-month Michigan Political Leadership Program to two-dozen individuals interested in participating in their communities as future leaders. Through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, this effort will be extended in 2003 via new policy sessions and the development of a program called Tomorrow’s Political Leaders that is aimed at encouraging upper-level undergraduate students and recent graduates to participate in the political process.
IPPSR is producing top-notch survey research. Over the past year IPPSR has administered surveys for 15 MSU units, 4 other universities, 6 private organizations, and 5 governmental units; logging as many as 2,000 interview hours per week and employing over 160 interviewers. We launched a new online venue so that the public can analyze and download our data on Michigan resident perceptions. In the area of evaluation research, our Evaluation Research Collaborative has brought together faculty from across campus to apply for over $6.5 million in grant funding.
IPPSR is increasing its visibility. The Institute’s research, events, and publications were cited over 120 times in the past year in local, statewide, national, and international publications. IPPSR is developing relationships with news reporters who have come to rely on the Institute’s research-based reports and analysis to cover complicated policy issues. The Institute’s State of the State Survey on Michigan resident viewpoints is becoming a respected source of scientifically-sound data on citizen concerns. Website usage continues to rise both by the media and policymakers. In 2002 IPPSR’s publications were downloaded at a rate of 93 per day.
IPPSR is embracing the future. Looking forward, the Institute is positioned to become a leader in Michigan and across the nation in linking survey research, applied public policy research, and political leadership. We plan to build on our considerable strengths and to continue collaborations with units on MSU’s campus and in the state.
For the efforts of 2002, I would like to express my sincere thanks to a wonderful group of faculty and staff for their dedication and hard work and to all those who help to support this excellent organization.
- Carol S. Weissert, Director
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These are exciting
times for the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR)
and for the state of Michigan as a whole. Campaigns are shifting into
high gear and public policy issues and politics are at the forefront.
To assist policymakers and voters we have commissioned MSU faculty to
write two sets of white papers on top policy issues. In June, we released
a series of seven papers collectively entitled "Informing the debate:
Health policy options for Michigan policymakers." A collaborative
project between IPPSR and the Institute for Health Care Studies, the papers
feature research and policy recommendations from twenty-four faculty across
campus. In collaboration with MSU Urban Affairs Programs, we are releasing
eight policy papers in September on urban issues facing the state. A book
containing these papers and an overview chapter will also be published
in November or December by the MSU Press.
Speaking of campaigns
and elections, our Michigan Political Leadership Program MPLP)–a
multi-partisan program that trains individuals to tackle public policy
issues as candidates, government officials, and activists–is accepting
applications for the 2003 session through September 16, 2002.
MPLP has a great session planned for next year, including enhanced public
policy training to supplement the existing curriculum as well as two new
co directors. The enhancements are made possible by a grant from the Kellogg
Foundation of Battle Creek, MI. The new MPLP co-directors are Mr. James
G. Agee and Ms. Anne M. Mervenne. Both offer a vast range of policy and
political experience that will be highly beneficial to program participants.
On behalf of everyone at IPPSR I would like to extend a heartfelt thank
you to Lynn Jondahl for his many years of service to the Michigan Political
Leadership Program and to Collen Pero for her valuable contribution as
well. Both outgoing co-directors have left an indelible mark on this important
program. We look forward to a continued relationship with them as MPLP
supporters and advisors.
In the area of survey research, our Office for Survey Research has conducted over 4,000 telephone and 1,000 self-administered surveys in the past three months. Inside are some of the more prominent surveys, including a nationwide study of America's post September 11 viewpoints. The Institute has also launched a new Evaluation Research Collaborative (ERC) to facilitate multidisciplinary evaluations among faculty. So far, ERC has facilitated grant proposals with multiple-year funding requests exceeding $3.2 million.
Looking ahead, we
are now planning for the Legislative Leadership Program session, which
will be held in December for newly elected state legislators. The Institute
also has a leadership role in facilitating a two year W.K. Kellogg development
grant to improve coordination and integration of MSU land use research
and extension/outreach efforts. Stay tuned to current and upcoming projects
on our website:
www.ippsr.msu.edu.
- Carol S. Weissert, Director
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is available on the Institute's Plugin Information page.