Invitation to join the Institute of Government and Public Affairs

You are invited to inform faculty of a University of Illinois System-wide public policy institute they may be interested in joining.

Since its founding in 1947, IGPA has served as a bridge between academic research and real-world public policy. Originally established to advise the Illinois General Assembly during a period of reform, IGPA played a pivotal role in shaping the state's 1969 Constitution. Over the decades, we have continued to influence public service by setting research agendas, educating elected officials and contributing to critical policy discussions in areas like state finance, public health and family impact — all with an unwavering commitment to academic rigor and nonpartisanship.

As I begin my tenure at IGPA, I believe that now is a critical time to lend our scholarship to the state to help produce the best policy possible. I invite you to pass this message along to faculty in your department who you think would be a good fit. We will help your faculty translate research to public policy audiences, get in touch with other like-minded scholars across the System, and make connections to the Illinois legislature and Illinois government.

Benefits of becoming an IGPA Scholar:

Maximize the impact of research: IGPA’s Media and Legislative Relations team disseminates research outcomes to policymakers, legislators, media and other stakeholders across Illinois. We connect the right people with faculty research, ensuring it makes the biggest difference.

Research funding opportunities: IGPA affiliates are eligible to apply for funding through our Research Scholar Initiative. This program supports the development of original research on pressing policy problems, with results published in our Policy Spotlight series. We anticipate offering new funding opportunities focused on developing public policy data for both researchers and nonacademic stakeholders in 2024-25.

Expanded network: Gain access to a network of over 125 policy-minded scholars across the University of Illinois System. Engage in virtual and in-person discussions, collaborate on projects and share ideas with colleagues who share a passion for impactful research.

Amplify your voice: Prepare and disseminate Policy Spotlights — concise research briefs summarized for nonacademic audiences. IGPA provides support with writing, editing and design, ensuring research reaches the right decision-makers.

Gain exposure and leverage expertise: IGPA fosters collaboration among affiliates through our Working Groups. Currently, these groups focus on Education, Learning, Child and Family Well-Being; Fiscal and Economic Policy; Substance Use Disorders and Behavioral Health; and Equity, Justice, and Human Flourishing. IGPA staff and Working Group leads will help identify pressing policy issues in Illinois, ensuring our scholar expertise informs the policymaking process.

Learn more and get involved

For more information about IGPA, including past Policy Spotlights and RSI recipients, please visit the IGPA website. For scholars interested in joining IGPA and translating their research into actionable policy solutions, I encourage them to reach out to any of our working group leads:

Education, Learning, Child and Family Well-Being
David DuBois, dldubois@uic.edu

Fiscal and Economic Policy
David Merriman, dmerrim@uic.edu

Substance Use Disorders and Behavioral Health
Liliane Windsor, lwindsor@illinois.edu

Equity, Justice, and Human Flourishing
Sage Kim, skim49@uic.edu

You can reach out to me directly if you would like to generally learn more about IGPA. We welcome scholars across the University of Illinois System who share our mission of public service through research.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Superfine
Director, Institute of Government and Public Affairs