University of Oregon's Institute for Policy Research and Engagement
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| University of Oregon's Institute for Policy Research and Engagement | |
|---|---|
| Name | Institute for Policy Research and Engagement |
| Formation | 2017 |
| Type | Research institute |
| Headquarters | Eugene, Oregon |
| Parent organization | University of Oregon |
University of Oregon's Institute for Policy Research and Engagement The Institute for Policy Research and Engagement is a public policy research institute at the University of Oregon. It conducts applied policy analysis, program evaluation, and public scholarship that informs decision-making in Oregon and the broader Pacific Northwest. The institute connects scholars across fields and collaborates with state agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations.
History
The institute was established amid statewide efforts to enhance applied research capacity in Oregon and to link academic expertise with policymakers in Salem, Portland, and Eugene; its formation drew on models from Brookings Institution, RAND Corporation, Urban Institute, Hoover Institution, and Pew Research Center. Early contributors included faculty with prior appointments at University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, Harvard Kennedy School, Princeton University, and London School of Economics. The institute’s initial projects referenced policy debates involving the Oregon Legislature, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Health Authority, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and urban planners from City of Portland. Over time the institute expanded collaborations with scholars associated with Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Washington, Arizona State University, University of Michigan, and University of Wisconsin–Madison to address statewide issues such as housing policy, criminal justice reform, climate adaptation, and workforce development tied to statutes akin to Affordable Care Act implementation in the region.
Mission and Research Focus
The institute’s stated mission centers on producing rigorous, timely research that informs policy deliberations by officials in Oregon State Legislature, tribal leaders from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and administrators at institutions such as Eugene School District 4J and Portland Public Schools. Research topics commonly include housing affordability studies referencing practitioners from National Low Income Housing Coalition, analyses of public health initiatives involving Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, evaluations of workforce programs similar to those promoted by U.S. Department of Labor, and environmental resilience projects aligned with initiatives from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Environmental Protection Agency. The institute emphasizes translational work engaging stakeholders from Oregon Judicial Department, Multnomah County, Lane County, and community organizations such as Catholic Charities USA and United Way Worldwide.
Programs and Initiatives
Programs include applied evaluation services modeled on practices from What Works Clearinghouse, community-engaged research initiatives inspired by Community-Campus Partnerships for Health, and policy forums resembling events hosted by Council on Foreign Relations and National Governors Association. Initiative topics have included affordable housing research partnerships with Habitat for Humanity International, criminal justice analyses that reference reform movements associated with Vera Institute of Justice, and education equity projects informed by work at Annenberg Institute for School Reform. The institute also organizes workshops and speaker series that have featured experts from Brookings Institution, Urban Institute, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Bipartisan Policy Center, and legal scholars associated with American Civil Liberties Union.
Partnerships and Community Engagement
Partnerships span local governments like City of Eugene and regional institutions including Port of Portland, tribal governments such as the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, healthcare providers like PeaceHealth, and nonprofit partners such as Oregon Food Bank. The institute engages with statewide coalitions and federal entities including U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, National Institutes of Health, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services for community-driven research. Collaborative projects have connected with philanthropic organizations such as Ford Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Meyer Memorial Trust, and Kresge Foundation to support technical assistance, data sharing, and public forums drawing participants from Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings, National League of Cities, and local advocacy groups.
Organizational Structure and Leadership
The institute is organized with an executive director, a research director, and affiliated faculty fellows drawn from departments across the University of Oregon, including scholars with appointments in programs comparable to those at School of Public Policy, Department of Sociology, Department of Economics, and College of Education at other universities such as Columbia University, Yale University, and University of Chicago. Leadership has engaged advisory boards comprising officials from the Oregon Business Council, former state legislators, and leaders from Oregon State University and Portland State University. Staff roles include program managers, policy analysts, and evaluation specialists with professional backgrounds linked to U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oregon Employment Department, and nonprofit research units like The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Funding and Grants
Funding sources include competitive grants and contracts from federal agencies such as National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and state-level appropriations reviewed by the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission. Philanthropic support has come from foundations including Meyer Memorial Trust, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Bezos Earth Fund, and regional donors active in Pacific Northwest philanthropy. The institute also secures project-specific contracts with municipal governments, tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations for program evaluations, technical assistance, and policy briefings coordinated with partners like State of Oregon Employment Department and regional planning agencies.