Profiles of University of Michigan Faculty Experts in State and Local Policy Areas
Professor Barry N. Checkoway
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Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work Professor of Urban Planning, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning Founding Director, Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning Years On UM Faculty: 20 Faculty website Contact Info |
Regarding links between academics and policymakers, Professor Checkoway notes:
"Most of my research projects originate in collaborative partnerships with community-based organizations. I develop ongoing relationships with communities that tend to be distressed and racially segregated. Research problems and projects grow out of these emerging relationships."
EXPERTISE
Community organization, social planning, community participation and civic engagement, community- and participatory-based research with an education component.
CURRENT RESEARCH
"Youth Participation in Public Policy at the Municipal Level: A Research, Education and Outreach Project in Michigan," with George Goodman, Larry Gant and Lorraine Gutierrez. The purpose of this project is to develop knowledge of strategies for youth participation in public policy at the municipal level, with an emphasis on Michigan. Using a participatory community-based research methodology at the state, local, and cross-site levels, the researchers will identify, describe, and analyze efforts to promote youth participation in three selected Michigan municipalities. The study will examine the effects of these programs on youth and their communities; factors which facilitate and limit participation; and lessons learned from empirically-based practice. This project will also include an outreach strategy to build municipal capacity for youth participation through education and training.
OTHER RESEARCH AND PUBLIC POLICY INTERESTS
Multi-cultural issues, race and ethnicity, social capital, university-community partnerships with civic agencies.
NON-UM AFFILIATIONS/EXPERIENCE
- City Year in Boston, MA, Evaluation Program, Chair
- Lifting New Voices (a national program to increase youth participation), Evaluator
- Michigan Neighborhood AmeriCorps Program, Director, 1994-1997
