Three policy students have been awarded undergraduate research awards. The three award recipients – Alex Kaplan, Malachi Gaines and Aidan Kujan – will work with SPP faculty over the summer on research projects.
The first project, titled “History and Public Policy Initiative: Connecting Past to Present” will be led by Assistant Professor Claire Dunning and Associate Professor Josh Shifrinson. They aim to establish the History and Public Policy Initiative at SPP, which will engage scholars, practitioners, students and invested community members through seminars, research projects, coursework and experiential opportunities.
Kaplan will assist Dunning in her book project on the history of philanthropy, race and housing policy. He will also conduct his own historical research and contribute to the development of applied history as a field, advancing policy-relevant historical research and its integration into policy debates.
The second project, “Benchmark Fundraising Report on Black-Led and Black-Benefitting Nonprofit Organizations,” focuses on supporting Black-led nonprofit organizations. Spearheaded by the Young, Black & Giving Back Institute (YBGB) and Associate Clinical Professor Ebonie Cooper-Jean, this project aims to address the systemic underinvestment in Black-led nonprofits.
Through a comprehensive survey of 227 Black-led nonprofit leaders, the research report will identify the unique barriers faced by these organizations and propose strategies to improve support through YBGB’s capacity-building and fundraising programs. The report will also shed light on inequities within institutional philanthropy, provide a benchmark data report for tracking progress and sustainability, and develop specialized training curriculum to address the specific challenges faced by Black-led organizations. Gaines will contribute to this important research endeavor.
For the third project Kujan will join a research team focusing on fiscal policy led by Assistant Professor Luke Spreen.
These undergraduate research awards not only recognize the work of SPP faculty members but also highlight the remarkable contributions of undergraduate students in public policy. By supporting research projects that tackle pressing societal issues and contribute to policy development, these awards nurture the next generation of policy leaders and promote meaningful change in various domains.