UMBC School of Public Policy

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/11603/59

The UMBC School of Public Policy includes the master of public policy (MPP) and PhD degree programs, and the Maryland Institute for Public Policy and Analysis Research (MIPAR). Established after four decades of sustained growth, the School consists of nine full-time faculty, more than 30 affiliated faculty from the departments of economics, sociology, political science, and policy analysis. MIPAR, with $23 million in active research grants, links the analytical resources of the University with policymakers in the state and region, conducting opinion research, policy analyses, and program evaluations on a variety of topics. MIPAR activities are supported by federal, state, and local governmental agencies, foundations, and corporations.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 759

Encounters in the New World: Jesuit Cartography of the Americas
(Taylor and Francis, 2023-07-17) Short, John Rennie
Assessing the Prevalence of COVID-19 and Post-COVID Condition in Adults with Disabilities in the United States: A Systematic Review
(2025-01) Miller, Nancy A.; McLaren, Zoe; Ali, Mir Usman; Starr, Zach
We conducted a systematic review of the literature to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 and post-COVID condition among individuals with disabilities compared to the general population in the United States for 2020 through June 2024. Through a search of seven academic databases, hand searching of nine health services research and public health journals, and the bibliographies of included manuscripts, we identified nine articles that compared COVID-19 (n=8) or post-COVID condition (n=1) for individuals with disabilities to the general population. Of these, COVID-19 prevalence or the case rate was higher among individuals in 5 of 8 manuscripts and the prevalence of post-COVID condition was higher among individuals with disabilities in the one manuscript that examined post-COVID condition. There was notable heterogeneity by type of disability, disability severity and study setting. Only one of 9 studies examined differences by sociodemographic factors such as race, ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic status. As COVID-19 and post-COVID condition continue to impact the health of individuals, additional research using nationally representative data is warranted.
The Washington Climate Assembly: note-taking modalities as deliberative guidance in an online citizens’ assembly
(Taylor & Francis, 2024-05-03) Rountree, John; Park, Chul Hyun; Richards, Robert C.
In this essay, we use applied rhetorical criticism to analyze how facilitators navigate online deliberation in the Washington Climate Assembly, a public deliberation process held virtually in January and February 2021. We draw on interviews with organizers and facilitators and from observational notes taken by the research team during Assembly deliberations. This analysis focuses on the Assembly's online note-taking practices. Previous research has recognized note-taking as an important element to the design of democratic processes, and we argue that note-taking modalities constitute a form of deliberative guidance. We examine the Assembly’s use of note-taking modalities for deliberative guidance across spatial and temporal dimensions, thus expanding the concept of deliberative guidance into other forms of communication. Additionally, results revealing shortcomings in note-taking suggest employing augmented note-taking practices during online public deliberation processes, with implications for scoping, staffing, and budgeting of such processes, as well as the potential application of artificial intelligence.
The Urban Moment
(Edward Elgar, 2023) Short, John Rennie
‘The Urban Now is a brilliant synthesis of John Rennie Short’s recent work that covers the gambit of topics like globalization, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the informal economy while weaving in wonderful chapters to connect our daily experiences of the city in all its magic and its dangers. Despite the various crises and problems discussed in the book, it is remarkably positive and, writing with characteristic clarity and buoyancy, Short demonstrates yet again his wonderful ability to make what can be complicated, accessible and a joy to read.’
Adapting to change: Exploring reverse migration as a coping strategy among internal migrants in Bangladesh
(Elsevier, 2023-09-01) Saha, Avijit; Dutta, Arpita; Rezvi, Minhazur Rahman; Sifat, Ridwan Islam; Sultana, Nayeem; Nuruzzaman; Hasan, Mehedi
The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down economic growth and disrupted labor markets throughout the world, including Bangladesh. A significant proportion of people lost income sources in the formal and informal sectors, triggering them to return to villages, and the transition introduces us to the new phenomenon known as “reverse migration”. This study explores and synthesizes the COVID-19 induced changing patterns of migration and returnees' coping strategies based on their level of preparedness as well as resource mobilization. A mixed-method research approach was applied to conduct the research. The study area was Rangpur (Pirganj, Taraganj, and Kaunia). For collecting primary data, semi-structured survey questionnaires were used and conducted 84 field survey data, 12 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), 6 In-Depth Interviews (IDIs), 2 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and participant observations. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo software were used to present the findings of this study. The findings of the study revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic fueled informal job holders’ returning to their homeland due to a low level of preparedness and mobilized resources. The study found that most respondents were in severe level unemployment. As a result, a lack of physical assets, they could not start new income-generating ventures and encountered food insecurity due to unexpected price hikes. The alarming result indicates that internal reverse migration is gendered, and the adverse impact is more prevalent among female migrants rather than male migrants. Along with the governmental organizations, the highlights of this study would be essential for non-governmental organizations and development practitioners.
The Cultural Organization of Space
(Oxford University Press, 2024-01-19) Short, John Rennie; Benton-Short, Lisa
Authored by seasoned experts in the field, Human Geography: A Short Introduction provides a concise yet comprehensive and engaging exploration of contemporary human geography.Human Geography teaches students how to engage with GIS and the power of maps. Each chapter features interactive maps that provide students with the opportunity to use GIS and understand how concepts and processes affect specific places. The text is enriched with recent examples and case studies, effectively bridging the gap between theory and its real-world relevance to human geography. It allows students to explore the intricate interactions between people, culture, economics, politics, and urban environments. Suitable for majors and non-majors, Human Geography: A Short Introduction is enhanced by vibrant visuals facilitating understanding and engagement. Comprehensive resources are available for both students and professors, maximizing value and versatility. , Authored by seasoned experts in the field, Human Geography: A Short Introduction provides a concise yet comprehensive and engaging exploration of contemporary human geography.Human Geography teaches students how to engage with GIS and the power of maps. Each chapter features interactive maps that provide students with the opportunity to use GIS and understand how concepts and processes affect specific places. The text is enriched with recent examples and case studies, effectively bridging the gap between theory and its real-world relevance to human geography. It allows students to explore the intricate interactions between people, culture, economics, politics, and urban environments. Suitable for majors and non-majors, Human Geography: A Short Introduction is enhanced by vibrant visuals facilitating understanding and engagement. Comprehensive resources are available for both students and professors, maximizing value and versatility.
Estimating the Costs to Mississippi Medicaid Attributable to Tobacco Using Paid Amounts to Providers for Tobacco-Related Illnesses
(The Hilltop Institute, 2019-06-03) Woodcock, Cynthia; Stockwell, Ian; Middleton, Alice; Idala, David; Betley, Charles
Research Objective: Estimating the costs of tobacco-related illness incurred by...
Commentary: Black Mothers in Racially Segregated Neighborhoods Embodying Structural Violence: PTSD and Depressive Symptoms on the South Side of Chicago
(Journal of Mental Health & Clinical Psychology, 2024-01-04) Henderson, Loren; Mendenhall, Ruby; Lee, Meggan J.
Competition policy in North America in the context of the USMCA: an overview and some skepticism with regard to any prospects for harmonization
(Edward Elgar, 2025-02-11) Brennan, Timothy J.; White, Lawrence J.
Competition policy within the three countries of the USMCA ? Canada, Mexico, and the United States has remained largely apart from the general economic integration that is the theme of the USMCA (and of NAFTA before it). Indeed, this separation is consistent with the absence of competition policy in the wider economic integration efforts of the WTO (and of GATT before it). At first glance, this separation might appear to be anomalous, and there should be a link between competition policy and trade in the context of international trade agreements. After all, reduced barriers to international trade generally increase competition in domestic markets, and the latter is what competition policy is supposed to encourage. However, this chapter argues that this pattern of non-harmonized competition policy is not accidental or somehow an oversight. Instead, this pattern reflects some fundamental differences between competition policy and the policies that guide the export/import trade flows that are at the core of such free trade agreements. The body of this chapter expands on this argument.
Cultivating change: an evaluation of departmental readiness for faculty diversification
(Frontiers, 2025-02-25) Carter-Veale, Wendy Y.; Cresiski, Robin H.; Sharp, Gwen; Lankford, Jordan; Ugarte, Fadel
Despite the increasing number of racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) individuals earning PhDs and the substantial investment in diversity initiatives within higher education, the relative lack of diversity among faculty in tenure-track positions reveals a persistent systemic challenge. This study used an adaptation of the Community Readiness Tool to evaluate readiness for faculty diversification efforts in five biomedical departments. Interviews with 31 key informants were transcribed and coded manually and using NVIVO 12 in order to assign scores to each department in the six domains of readiness. The results revealed no meaningful differences in overall scores across institutional types, but did show differences within specific domains of readiness. These findings indicate that readiness is multi-faceted and academic departments can benefit by identifying priority areas in need of additional faculty buy-in and resources to enhance the success of diversification efforts.
Managing cybersecurity in local governments: 2022
(Kennesaw State University, 2025-02-15) Norris, Donald; Mateczun, Laura
This paper, based on data from our second nationwide survey of cybersecurity among local or grassroots governments in the U.S., examines how these governments manage this important function. As we have shown elsewhere, cybersecurity among local governments is increasingly important because these governments are under constant or nearly constant cyberattack. Due to the frequency of cyberattacks, as well as the probability that at least some attacks will succeed and cause damage to local government information systems, these governments have great responsibility to protect their information assets. This, in turn, requires these governments to manage cybersecurity effectively, something our data show is largely absent at the American grassroots because, on average, local governments fail in to manage cybersecurity well. After discussing our findings, we conclude and make recommendations for ways to improve local government cybersecurity management.
Is Transmission Expansion for Decarbonization Compatible with Generation Competition?
(RFF, 2022-08-08) Brennan, Timothy J.
Decarbonization of the electricity sector, and expanding it to facilitate decarbonization of transportation, heating, and other energy applications primarily using fossil fuels, is an important step in mitigating climate change. A widely advocated step in that direction is long-term planning to massively expand the transmission system to deliver electricity generated by wind and solar units that are far away from population centers. The transmission system has seen substantial investment in recent years, with few examples of failure to construct new lines, but future climate imperatives may justify moving away from the process of adding incremental capacity in response to specific requests. However, the planning process may sacrifice much of the benefits of competition that electricity policy has striven to achieve over the past three decades. These benefits are not only those from independent output and capacity responses to market prices but also dynamic benefits from technological innovation and market information acquired over time. Reconciling the benefits of competition with central planning has long been necessary in the electricity sector. I propose options for preserving some of the benefits of competition, if long-term transmission planning remains an imperative.
History with Jackson: Insurrection with John Rennie Short
(podfollow, 2024-03-17) Jackson; Short, John Rennie
Today on the History with Jackson Podcast Jackson sits down to talk with Author and historian John Rennie Short! Today we discuss his book with Reaktion Books, 'Insurrection: What the January 6 Assault on the Capitol Reveals about America and Democracy'. In this conversation, we spoke about the two insurrections, the polarization of American Politics, and the rise of Donald Trump!
Make downtown great again: what's next for dead and dying downtowns?
(iheart, 2024-06-13) Short, John Rennie; Mike; Kathie
John Rennie Short, Professor of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, joins Mike and Kathie to talk about how many traditional downtowns across North America are dead or dying and what's next for these areas
Climate Change and New Challenges for Rural Communities: Particulate Matter Matters
(MDPI, 2023-11-22) Miousse, Isabelle Racine; Hale, Rachel B.; Alsbrook, Scott; Boysen, Gunnar; Broadnax, Tanya; Murry, Carleisha; Williams, Candace; Park, Chul Hyun; Richards, Robert; Reedy, Justin; Chalbot, Marie-Cécile; Kavouras, Ilias G.; Koturbash, Igor
Climate change presents multiple challenges to rural communities. Here, we investigated the toxicological potential of the six types of particulate matter most common to rural Arkansas: soil, road, and agricultural dusts, pollen, traffic exhaust, and particles from biomass burning in human small airway epithelial cells (SAECs). Biomass burning and agricultural dust demonstrated the most potent toxicological responses, exhibited as significant (p < 0.05) up-regulation of HMOX1 (oxidative stress) and TNFα (inflammatory response) genes as well as epigenetic alterations (altered expression of DNA methyltransferases DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B, enzymatic activity, and DNA methylation of alpha satellite elements) that were evident at both 24 h and 72 h of exposure. We further demonstrate evidence of aridification in the state of Arkansas and the presence of winds capable of transporting agricultural dust- and biomass burning-associated particles far beyond their origination. Partnerships in the form of citizen science projects may provide important solutions to prevent and mitigate the negative effects of the rapidly evolving climate and improve the well-being of rural communities. Furthermore, the identification of the most toxic types of particulate matter could inform local policies related to agriculture, biomass burning, and dust control.
Connecting Citizen Voices to the Policy Process: the Rockefeller Ethic
(JSTOR, 2023) Harris, Janet; Richards, Robert C.; Hopper, James; Park, Chul Hyun; Hawkins, Carder; Hollenbeck, Claire; Vestal, Stefanie
Arkansas' Winthrop Rockefeller Institute is crafting an approach to public deliberation rooted in principles of respectful dialogue, diverse opinions, and collaborative problem-solving. It is called the "Rockefeller Ethic," and it is designed to maximize the influence of public deliberative processes on policymaking and public officials.
2023 ARKANSAS CIVIC HEALTH INDEX
(NCOC, 2023) Park, Chul Hyun; Ajayi, Joyce O.; Abdul-Bey, Kwami; Chue, Brittany; Richards, Robert C. Jr.
The main source of information in this report is periodic supplements-on topics such as voting, civic engagement, and volunteering-to the U.S Census Bureau's Current Population Survey (CPS), which poses questions to approximately 60,000 households around the U.S. From that data, this report focuses on: 1) levels of political, civic, and social engagement among Arkansans, 2) comparisons of Arkansas with U.S. national averages, and 3) characteristics that may be associated with participation, such as race/ethnicity, gender, age, income, and education. The survey findings reported here, unless otherwise noted, are obtained from the CPS data, which cover the years 1972through 2020, and the precise year for data is noted in each section. Other sources of numerical data in the report are J. O. Ajayi and M. Kalulu, Access Arkansas: County and City Web Transparency (4th ed., 2023);1 the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement; the American National Election Studies 2020 time-series study; data on local newspaper availability from the University of North Carolina Hussman School of Journalism and Media; and data on ownership of local radio stations from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Moreover, the report presents qualitative results of interviews with Arkansas nonprofit leaders, civic leaders, public-engagement professionals, and residents about coalitions across sectors to address social issues, as well as political, civic, and social engagement and local civic spaces. While the report's quantitative findings are based on a scientifically valid and representative sample of residents, each estimate features a small margin of error; as a result, small differences in percentages may not be statistically significant.
Introduction: law in a changing climate
(Cambridge University Press, 2025-01-28) Sterett, Susan M.; Dias, Vitor Martins; Marshall, Anna-Maria
As societies grapple with mitigating or adapting to climate change, law plays a prominent role in the social relations that constitute a response. In this essay, we briefly review of the many different perspectives on law and climate change offered by the authors in this special issue of Law and Society Review. From transnational human rights activism to constitutional litigation to local practices and all around the globe, both the powerful and the marginalized draw on legal institutions and actors in multiple arenas and at multiple scales to address the consequences of climate change. Together, these articles show that law is not confined to courtrooms or judicial systems or regulations; rather, law offers both limitations and opportunities in the ongoing struggle over climate change.
The effects of CenteringPregnancy on maternal and infant health outcomes: a moderation analysis
(Oxford University Press, 2023-12-01) Park, Chul Hyun; Driver, Nichola; Richards, Robert C.; Ward, Penny
CenteringPregnancy (CP) has been expected to produce beneficial outcomes for women and their infants. However, previous studies paid little attention to testing variations in CP's effects across women from different demographic groups. This study aimed to test how multiple demographic factors (obesity, race, ethnicity, marital status and socioeconomic status) moderate CP's effects on health outcomes.This study employed a quasi-experimental design. De-identified hospital birth data were collected from 216 CP participants and 1159 non-CP participants. We estimated the average treatment effect of CP on outcome variables as a baseline. Then we estimated the average marginal effect of CP by adding each of the moderating variables in regression adjustment models.CP produced salutary effects among those who were obese or overweight and unmarried as well as women with lower socioeconomic status. These salutary effects were also strengthened as maternal age increased. However, CP was ineffective for Hispanic/Latinx women.CP produced more beneficial health outcomes for high-risk women such as obese, unmarried women and those with lower socioeconomic status. These are meaningful findings from a public health perspective.
Affirmative Action is a Successful Policy for Diversity in College Graduation
(Syracuse University, 2023-06-07) Lutz, Amy; Bennett, Pamela R.; Wang, Rebecca

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