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Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan

Joan and Sanford Weill Hall
Suite 5100
735 South State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091
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About Us

Poverty Solutions is a university-wide presidential initiative on a mission to partner with communities and policymakers to find new ways to prevent and alleviate poverty through action-based research.

 

The University of Michigan has a proud tradition of groundbreaking research and teaching on poverty and inequality. U-M scholars have made pivotal contributions to knowledge and policymaking in the field of poverty dating back to the 1950s. Established in 2016, Poverty Solutions builds on this tradition.

Vision

Poverty Solutions does action-based research in partnership with communities and policymakers to inform policy change that makes systems work better for people with low incomes.

Approach

We view poverty as the result of interlinked systems — housing, education, criminal justice, labor markets — that fail to function as they should 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.

We conceptualize our work as an arc of change. We start with listening to community input to set a collective research agenda and then analyze data and research to help identify policy gaps. Next, we identify possible solutions and propose evidence-based interventions. Finally, we support the implementation of new policies and practices and evaluate the outcome — listening again as new models take shape.

graphic displaying Poverty Solutions systems change approach

Values

  • 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 through classes, field work, advanced learning opportunities, doctoral research support, and campus-wide events.
  • Mutually respectful, dynamic, solutions-focused partnerships with residents, community organizations, 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. 
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H. Luke Shaefer
Director H. Luke Shaefer
In confronting the challenges of poverty, we know scholars don’t have all the answers. Yet we have an important role to play. We can use data, evidence, and analysis to identify critical issues and evidence-based solutions to inform action.
Read Luke's Letter
Video
Meet the Poverty Solutions Team