University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Civic Engagement and Public Policy

Core Focus of the Strategic Strength

• Creating Resilient Communities and Sustainable Economies
• Reaching Across Borders
• Improving Public Health
• Advancing Pre-K through 16 Education
• Preparing Leaders in Public Policy

The social and cultural changes that have occurred over the past several years have led to a myriad of problems that confront local, national, and international constituencies. Problems associated with poverty, educational access and reform, housing, substance abuse, crime and criminal justice, health and environment, family violence, and persistent inequalities related to race, social class, and gender pose pressing societal challenges. As an urban public research university, UB possesses strengths across its various units including its ability to marshal collaborative expertise in research, teaching, and service that advances the public good.

The collective work conducted under the aegis of civic engagement and public policy draw on the existing strengths within the liberal arts and the professional schools. Moreover, a unique synergy has been established among these decanal units. Furthermore, the Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy has a large endowment, is nationally and internationally recognized for its distinguished record of scholarship in the area of law and policy, and provides critical support to other academic units across campus. The proposed Center for the Study of Law and Urban Justice draws upon the Department of Sociology's strength in socio-legal studies as well as its collaborative relationship with the UB Law School and the Baldy Center. This center would become a site for scholarly research and innovative teaching dedicated to understanding the social and legal problems experienced by diverse groups in the urban environment. The proposed center would also coordinate opportunities for students to participate in applied research focusing on urban problems in the Buffalo-Niagara region. The Human Capital and Economic Development proposal builds upon the Department of Economics’ past research funding record and continued scholarship on human capital in promoting self-sustaining economic and social progress. Finally, the proposed Center of Excellence in Technology, Culture, and Intellectual Property draws on UB's strengths in the Schools of Management and Law to contribute to technology transfer efforts by providing clinical opportunities for students involved with the university's technology transfer office as well as providing an important resource for UB's community in identifying new uses for, and development of, technology and ideas.

Committee Leadership

Coordinating Committee:

• Nancy Smyth (Coordinating Dean)
  Dean, School of Social Work
• Wayne Anderson
  Dean, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Richard Buchanan
  Dean, School of Dental Medicine
• Michael Cain
  Dean, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
• Brian Carter
  Dean, School of Architecture and Planning
• Mary Gresham
  Dean, Graduate School of Education
• Lynn Kozlowski
  Interim Dean, School of Public Health & Health Professions
• Bruce D. McCombe
  Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
• Makau Mutua
  Dean, Law School
• John Thomas
  Dean, School of Management

Faculty Advisory Committee:

Note: This committee is currently reforming; however, the following people may still be contacted for further information.

• Robert Granfield (Chair)
  Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
• Donald Munroe Eagles
  Professor, Department of Political Science
• Joseph A. Gardella Jr.
  Professor and Faculty Fellow, Department of Chemistry
• Scott G. Grant
  Professor and Associate Dean for Teacher Education Preparation, Department of Learning and Instruction
• Niraj Verma
  Professor and Chair, Department of Urban and Regional Planning
• Lois Weis
  SUNY Distinguished Professor, Department of Educational and Leadership Policy