UMBC Department of Public Policy

Public Policy News

MPP Information Session - September 25 at 12 noon

Posted on July 31, 2013 1:27 PM |Permalink

Thinking about graduate school? Learn about the UMBC Master's Degree in Public Policy (MPP) at an information session on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 from 12:00-1:30 pm in Room 438 of the Public Policy Building. Enjoy lunch and talk with faculty and current students about the field of public policy, career opportunities, and how to apply to our MPP and combined BA/MPP program. Those interested in the PhD degree are also welcome to attend.

This event is open to students on and off campus. To register, e-mail your name, year and major to Sally Helms (helms@umbc.edu).

Campus map
Directions and parking

Viist us at the local Idealist Grad Fairs!

Posted on July 26, 2013 11:36 AM |Permalink

The Department of Public Policy is participating this fall in local Idealist Grad Fairs in Baltimore on September 30 and in Washington, DC on October 1. The fairs are free to the public. Stop by our table and learn more about our MPP and PhD in Public Policy.

Baltimore - 60 grad school exhibitors
September 30, 2013, 5-8 pm
Johns Hopkins University, Levering Hall, Glass Pavilion, 3400 N. Charles Street
idealistbaltimore.eventbrite.com

Washington, DC - 250 grad school exhibitors
October 1, 2013, 5-8 pm
Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
idealistdc.eventbrite.com

Stephen S. Johnston receives Judith A. Shinogle Memorial Award

Posted on June 25, 2013 3:00 PM |Permalink

The UMBC Department of Public Policy is pleased to announce that the inaugural recipient of the Judith A. Shinogle Memorial Award is Stephen S. Johnston, an outstanding Ph.D. student in health policy currently conducting research for his dissertation. Stephen will receive $1,500 to provide support for his scholarly advancement.

Stephen received his M.A. in Economic Policy Analysis from UMBC, where he was selected by the Economics Department as the Outstanding Graduating Student in 2007. His research interests include economics of health-related behaviors, pharmaco-economics, and mental health economics. Stephen is employed full time as a Senior Research Leader at Truven Health Analytics, assisting pharmaceutical clients with conducting retrospective observational research studies. He has co-authored a number of scholarly articles on pharmaco-economics, as well as other areas of health policy and economics.

The family of Judith Shinogle established the Memorial Fund in her memory following her untimely death in 2012 in order to provide support for Ph.D. students committed to health policy research. Dr. Shinogle had a distinguished and productive career as a health policy analyst and health outcomes researcher. She received a Ph.D. in Public Health Economics from the Johns Hopkins University, and a Master’s in Health Policy from the Harvard School of Public Health. She had held positions as an assistant professor at the University of Maryland College Park and the University of South Carolina, an economist with RTI International, and a NCHS/AcademyHealth Policy Fellow. At the time of her death, she was a Senior Research Scientist with the UMBC Maryland Institute for Policy Analysis and Research.

Donations to the Judith A. Shinogle Memorial Fund can be sent to UMBC, 8th Floor Administration, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 (make checks payable to the UMBC Foundation), or online at umbc.edu/giving.

Video: John Rennie Short on his new book, Stress Testing the USA

Posted on May 31, 2013 3:10 PM |Permalink

Watch a video of Public Policy Professor John Rennie Short discussing his new book, Stress Testing the USA. In the book, Dr. Short analyzes four serious traumas the United States experienced at the start of the 21st century: the invasion of Iraq, Hurricane Katrina, the financial meltdown, and the BP oil spill. “For every event there was a small group of people who new exactly what was happening,” says Short, “we just didn’t listen to them. So the point of the book is we should be more careful and more attentive to alternative, dissident voices.” Click here to watch the video.

Don Norris receives UAA recognition

Posted on February 20, 2013 2:50 PM |Permalink

Professor and Department Chair Donald F. Norris has been named an inaugural honoree of the new Urban Affairs Association (UAA) Service Honor Roll. This award recognizes the contributions of Dr. Norris to the association and the field of urban studies. The UAA credits honorees with contributing to the current breadth and richness of the discipline. Dr. Norris will be recognized at an award luncheon for Honor Roll inductees on April 5 at the UAA conference in San Francisco.

Tim Brennan receives Distinguished Service Award

Posted on December 18, 2012 10:31 AM |Permalink

Timothy J. Brennan (Public Policy) was named 2013 recipient of the Public Utility Research Center (PURC) Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the understanding of regulatory economics and finance. The Award recognizes the cumulative impact of an individual’s research and policy analyses on both the academic community and regulatory policymakers. Dr. Brennan received the award at the Annual PURC Conference on February 13, 2013 at the University of Florida.

Eric Zeemering receives APSA award

Posted on November 28, 2012 3:45 PM |Permalink

Public Policy assistant professor Eric Zeemering has been named the 2012 recipient of both the Clarence Stone Young Scholar Award and the Norton Long Developing Scholar Award from the Urban Politics Section of the American Political Science Association, in recognition of his scholarship, teaching and public service.

Professors release study on economic impacts of Maryland Dream Act

Posted on October 12, 2012 12:24 PM |Permalink

Two UMBC professors have released the results of a cost-benefit analysis of the Maryland Dream Act, which is subject to a referendum vote in the November 6 election. The Dream Act would allow undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition at public universities in Maryland if they meet certain conditions. The estimates from a cost-benefit analysis prepared by Dr. Marvin Mandell (Public Policy) and Dr. T. H. Gindling (Economics) suggest that the net economic effect of the Maryland Dream Act will be positive, and the benefits will be substantial. The estimated total net economic benefits of each annual cohort of students who take advantage of the Dream Act are approximately $66 million in 2011 dollars. That estimate includes increased lifetime earning for students, as well as higher income and property tax payments to federal, state and local governments, and public savings from lower rates of incarceration.

The study, "Private and Government Fiscal Costs of the Maryland Dream Act," has received extensive press coverage, and was the basis for editorials in the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun. A summary of the press coverage can be found here.

Eric Zeemering talks about Baltimore's "strong mayor" system on WYPR

Posted on June 27, 2012 12:22 PM |Permalink

Sheilah Kast of WYPR's Maryland Morning interviewed Dr. Eric Zeemering on June 27 about Baltimore's "strong mayor" form of government, and how that system compares to others around the country. Go to story

Rebecca Missell selected one of New York Jewish Week's 36 Under 36

Posted on May 23, 2012 2:18 PM |Permalink

Rebecca Missel (MPP, 2006) has been selected as one of New York Jewish Week's "36 Under 36." The magazine selected 36 up-and-coming young Jews who are innovators in Jewish arts, philanthropy, media, social justice, the rabbinate and community life. Rebecca was selected for organizing the group Jersey Tribe, which serves young adults in New Jersey.