The Institute for Public Leadership (IPL) at the School of Public Policy held its first student research showcase, highlighting research projects from undergraduate and graduate students. The event celebrated IPL’s mission to address societal challenges, amplify underrepresented voices and nurture emerging leaders through groundbreaking research.
Cullen Merritt, associate professor and IPL research director, welcomed attendees and highlighted the institute’s mission to develop current and future leaders through research. He emphasized the importance of authenticity, humility and community in research. “These values drive meaningful work, help us embrace challenges and remind us to seek support from mentors and peers,” he said.
The showcase featured three research programs: the Thurgood Marshall Research Fellowship, Summer Doctoral Research Fellowship and the Pizzigati Graduate Research Fellowship, all of which fund innovative projects. Merritt praised the students for their hard work and dedication. He expressed gratitude to the faculty mentors and the broader university community for supporting the students’ professional journeys.
Among the presenters was PhD student Camille Wejnert-Depue, whose research connects climate mitigation strategies with human well-being in Maryland. “I was really interested in understanding how climate pathways can not only reduce emissions but also really benefit people on the ground,” he explained, emphasizing the need for frameworks that prioritize social equity alongside economic metrics like GDP.
Public policy and government and politics undergraduate student Matthew Zinno’s research focuses on socioeconomic inequities in public university admissions following the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action. His findings revealed that higher-ranked universities exhibit greater socioeconomic inequities compared to lower-ranked institutions. Additionally, Zinno found that universities in Democratic congressional districts are more likely to demonstrate equitable admissions practices than those in Republican districts.
The two keynote speakers, Alisa Hicklin Fryar, professor and department chair, political science, University of Oklahoma and Tania D. Mitchell, professor and inaugural associate provost for community engagement, University of Maryland provided further insights into the broader impact of research.
Fryar’s talk focused on redefining the concept of scholarship and higher education’s value while addressing misconceptions about both. She shared her journey from a rural Southeast Texas background to becoming a public management scholar and professor, highlighting struggles with imposter syndrome and societal perceptions of scholars. Fryar emphasized that scholarship is not an identity but a set of skills accessible to anyone who is curious and committed to learning. She highlighted the need to bridge gaps between academia and public understanding of its benefits. “You know what a scholar is? It’s somebody who engages in scholarship. It’s not actually an identity—it’s work.”
Mitchell’s remarks highlighted the need for academic research to move beyond academic journals and create meaningful, real-world impact. Mitchell stressed the importance of engaging communities as collaborators, communicating findings effectively, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and advocating for policy change. She emphasized that building trust is essential, as it demonstrates commitment to societal improvement and accountability. Mitchell urged researchers to see their work as “an expression of public leadership,” ensuring it contributes to a more equitable and informed society.
MPP student Piper Jackson studied the relationship between state-level protections against LGBTQ+ housing discrimination and complaint rates. Inspired by disparities in homeownership rates between LGBTQ+ individuals and cisgender, heterosexual people, her research categorized states by low, median and high complaint rates. She found significant variation in legislation, noting that states like Oregon offer detailed protections, while Mississippi lacks any mention of LGBTQ+ rights in its housing policies. “I was actually really surprised to see when digging into the legislation that different states vary widely based on their ideologies,” said Jackson. She concluded that stronger federal definitions are needed to ensure consistent protection across all states, especially in places with minimal or absent safeguards.
Public policy and computer science undergraduate student Sriya Sogal presented research on the societal impacts of AI bias, focusing on criminal justice, employment and healthcare. She explored how AI bias perpetuates systemic inequities and emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues to ensure equity as reliance on AI grows. Sogal highlighted a striking example in employment, where AI systems discredit women's resumes due to biased historical data, illustrating the real-world consequences of AI bias. “I'm excited to see how we can work to make sure AI is more ethical and trustworthy, and being used for good.”
PhD student Emily Dobson researched the evolution of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and its role in American social policy. Inspired by her experience as a new parent during the 2021 CTC expansion, she examined its shift from a middle-class tax break to broader family support. Dobson observed that US social policy is often shaped more by modern norms like the work ethic and nuclear family ideals than by Constitutional values like liberty, justice and equality. Her research focused on connecting these founding principles with contemporary norms to bridge the historical gap.
IPL Associate Director Anne Kaiser commended the students’ work. “In just six to eight months, these students have conducted impactful research on social justice and equity. They will be able to build on the work of our PhD students and incorporate it into their long-term research. The bachelor’s and master’s students, some of whom may go on to pursue PhDs, will take this experience into the workplace, using real, solid data and analysis to drive better public policy. We are proud to highlight and uplift the very best of our researchers.”
