Learn more about Poverty Solutions
Poverty Solutions is a university-wide initiative on a mission to partner with communities and policymakers to find new ways to prevent and alleviate poverty through action-based research.
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Poverty Solutions is a university-wide initiative on a mission to partner with communities and policymakers to find new ways to prevent and alleviate poverty through action-based research. We aim for this action-based research to inform policy change that make systems work better for people with low incomes.
We view poverty as the result of interlinked systems — housing, education, criminal justice, labor markets — that do not work for people with low incomes. Such a systems approach puts the emphasis on structural, rather than individual, causes of poverty.
We recognize that many of these systems failures are the result of long-term racial and socioeconomic inequalities. Addressing poverty means confronting these disparities and seeking out just, equitable solutions.
By focusing on systems, we seek to partner in action that positively impacts the lives of many families. We look for ways to intervene through action ranging from small scale, community-focused projects to large-scale policy change.
- Action-based research approach centered on boosting economic opportunity, bringing new discoveries to policymakers and community stakeholders and relying on data and evidence-based strategies to deepen understanding of the challenges of poverty in policy and practice.
- Dedication to train the next generation of thought leaders and practitioners through classes, field work, advanced learning opportunities, doctoral research support, and campus-wide events.
- Mutually respectful, dynamic, solutions-focused partnerships with residents, communities, government entities, practitioners and policymakers at every level that enhance the research and educational activities of the initiative, impact real-time issues, and foster ongoing and open communications through platforms ranging from national events to public forums.
- A highly interdisciplinary approach that engages community partners with scholars from across U-M's many units, centers, institutes and administrative departments.
- A commitment to an anti-racist and inclusive approach to research and policy solutions aimed at dismantling systemic racism and including diverse perspectives that have historically been excluded.
Our ability to collectively fulfill the mission and values of Poverty Solutions begins with our culture. Here, we believe: everyone deserves to be treated with respect, trust is built, and collaboration leads to a stronger team and stronger outcomes. To foster this culture, we practice respect, trust-building and collaboration by committing to:
- Extend the most generous interpretation of the intentions, words and actions of others.
- Hold ourselves accountable for the impact of our words and actions and seek to make amends when necessary.
- Do what we say we will do, uphold commitments whenever possible, and re-establish expectations when we can't keep our original commitments.
- Be attentive to each other in our time together.
- Reserve judgment, and ask questions as a way to clarify assumptions and solicit diverse points of view, recognizing the limits to our expertise.
- Voice concerns and needs, and affirm colleagues when they do so.
- Set aside time for reflection in our workflows, so we can celebrate our successes and learn from our missteps.
- Learn about the unique skill sets, perspectives, and personal experiences of our teammates through formal and informal interactions that emphasize fun and celebration.
- Regularly revisit and express appreciation for how our individual and collective work advances the organization's mission and strategic goals.
- Proactively check on each other's well-being in the course of our work interactions, being mindful of others' comfort.
How we engage with each other impacts how we engage in partnerships inside and outside the university and in the mentoring of students. By committing to our vision for our internal workplace culture, we are better able to live out our organizational values, resulting in work that has a more widespread, relevant, and meaningful impact on preventing and alleviating poverty.
