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September 14, 2022
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
News from the Ford School
for policy researchers, educators, and professionals
  Computer chip picture

The risks & rewards of language-learning algorithms

Shobita Parthasarthy and colleagues with the Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program produced a major report on the potential impact of large language models. They find that while these algorithms have great benefits, they could reinforce inequalities, tax the environment, and place still more power in the hands of tech giants.

More »

 
   


New faculty teaser image

Impressive scholars and educators join the Ford School

New faculty include a leading disability rights attorney, an expert in international revolutionary movements, a judge, a senior national correspondent, and more. More »

Kevin Stange portrait

Stange lends expertise to U.S. Department of Education

Economist Kevin Stange started a one-year post at the U.S. Department of Education's Office of the Chief Economist to integrate research into practice and policy. More »



Canadian, Mexican and U.S. flag picture

North American Colloquium explores continental climate policy

A cross-continental partnership led by Barry Rabe analyzed the potential for bi- or tri-lateral collaborations to mitigate pollutants and enact climate policy. More »

Flint city picture

Consequences of divestment in Flint, Michigan

A Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy report reviewed 20 years of Flint's finances to expose the main factors that have contributed to economic, social, and infrastructure challenges. More »



Blinken and Coons video teaser

Watch a pair of Ford School discussions on foreign policy priorities and global challenges with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), in conversation with former Dean Michael S. Barr. Watch »

In the news

Quotation Marks
 

"From an emerging markets perspective that could lead them to make allegations of a reverse currency war, because their view might be that the policies being put in place by countries like the United States are now putting them at a disadvantage." Kathryn Dominguez on what happens when the U.S. raises interest rates.

NPR Planet Money

 

"Constitutionally, states can do a lot of things within their own boundaries to address greenhouse gases….The power sector is a really interesting example of how states have been pretty active. I think other sectors like the transportation sector have been more of a struggle for states to figure out how to discourage fossil fuel use." Barry Rabe on the potential for state-level action after a SCOTUS ruling that restricts EPA regulations.

Yahoo News

 

"It's just not realistic to think of oil and gas going away within the next five years. And so, for now, it looks like fracked wells are here to stay for the short term." Catherine Hausman on why fracking–a quick and relatively cheap way to extract oil–is increasing even as a net-zero carbon era looms.

Marketplace

 

"This seismic decline in housing stock is likely inaccurate and translates into a significant population undercount. There's a real impact behind this undercount of people that should have gotten millions of dollars that should have gone to programs providing affordable housing, nutrition assistance, early childhood education and more won't reach the people who need them." Jeffrey Morenoff, who testified at the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs field hearing, "Reviewing the 2022 Census."

The Detroit News

 

"There is a dangerous disconnect among American leaders and the American public. More than us simply supporting Ukraine against an invasion from Russia, we have not understood that we, too, are at war with Russia. Incidentally, that is a view shared by Putin, and perhaps it was his view even before Feb. 24." Former Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun.

The Detroit News

 

"Tougher U.S. measures…risk playing into Hun Sen's efforts to pin the country's economic and social problems on the West. Further U.S. pressure also may add cement to Cambodia's already close ties to Beijing." John Ciorciari on the high cost of penalizing Cambodia for the arrests of political activists.

VOA

 

"This moment is saturated in terms of all the conversation on the internet, the mis- and dis-information that flows through social media. Public health communicators need to be a lot more thoughtful about how they engage….That means concision, speed, and comprehensiveness….This is a new moment and these agencies are trying to shift around it." Abdul El-Sayed on the CDC's planned reorganization.

WBUR Here & Now

Spring S&H cover

Science, technology, and policy

Read the spring 2022 edition of the Ford School's State & Hill magazine featuring stories on "science, technology, and public policy."

Visit https://fordschool.umich.edu/state-hill-spring-2022

Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy - University of Michigan
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Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
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