IGPA has adopted an interdisciplinary working group model to foster collaboration among more than 160 faculty affiliates across the University of Illinois System. These groups bring together scholars from a range of disciplines to address urgent public policy challenges facing Illinois. Facilitated by faculty leads, each group identifies emerging issues, applies academic expertise to potential solutions, and works with IGPA’s legislative, agency, and media networks to connect that work to decision-makers. As new areas of interest arise, IGPA may expand its working group structure to include additional topics.
Behavioral Health
Education, Learning, Child and Family Well-being
Equity, Justice, and Human Flourishing
Fiscal and Economic Policy
Science and Technology
Affiliates are invited to present their emerging or completed policy research during monthly Faculty Coffees. These informal, hour-long gatherings provide a supportive space to share ideas and gather feedback from fellow researchers.
IGPA funds two to three large-scale policy projects annually to support the development of policy decision-making models. Designed by teams of scholars across the University of Illinois System, the goal of Research Scholar Initiatives is to maximize public engagement and impact. Information about current projects can be found on the RSI webpage.
IGPA launched a new funding initiative in 2025 to support original data products, such as surveys or enhanced datasets, that use new or existing data to inform key Illinois issues. Projects should serve researchers, policymakers, and the public by offering accessible, insightful data in user-friendly formats.
The Honorable W. Russell Arrington Professorship in State Politics, established in 2010 through a gift from Michael Arrington, honors his father’s legacy as a prominent Illinois legislator. Awarded to a University of Illinois System faculty member for a renewable five-year term, the professorship supports teaching, research, and public engagement on state politics through IGPA.
IGPA affiliates can partner with the IGPA team to publish a Policy Spotlight or Policy Brief. Policy Spotlights are 7–10 page reports that translate academic research into accessible insights, presenting original research or synthesizing literature to highlight key policy issues and solutions for Illinois. These peer-reviewed reports are professionally designed, published monthly, and widely distributed to legislators, agencies, and media.
Policy Briefs are 3–4 page reports offering rapid analysis of emerging public policy issues. Designed for speed and clarity, they help affiliates share evidence-based insights and recommendations as issues unfold.
IGPA provides writing support for both series, ensuring high-quality, timely contributions that inform policy conversations and engage decision-makers, media, and the public across Illinois. For more information, please reach out to Craig De Voto, visiting research associate, at cdevot2@uic.edu.
You can also refer to a PowerPoint titled “Policy Writing 101: Overview, Tips, and Tricks,” which may help answer commonly asked questions.
The Partnerships for Evidence-based Public Policy (PEPP) fellowship is a new initiative from the Center for Social & Behavioral Science and IGPA that connects mid-career faculty with Illinois government partners to conduct year-long policy research. Fellows will join a cohort for monthly trainings and collaborative work focused on the policy research lifecycle and communication. The pilot year (AY25–26) will support four fellows, including two focused on mental health research, with support from the Kellner Center.