Our Work
Since 2006, we have investigated salient policy and governance concerns linked to developing and maintaining democratic institutions in a fashion that honors Virginia Tech's Land Grant mission, history and motto of ut prosim.
IPG is an entrepreneurial, interdisciplinary community of collaborating faculty, staff and students that conducts research, learning and engagement efforts concerning significant democratic governance challenges.
OUR WORK
IPG, SPIA and affiliated faculty have completed projects and research in multiple policy domains and at international, national, state and local levels. We have launched interdisciplinary initiatives involving faculty and graduate students intersted in investigating community change processes, whether to create conditions aimed at improving and advancing existing programs, identifying and supporting innovative policy and programs, or to secure improved possibilities for the realization of social justice.
Research, Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
The Institute for Policy & Governance is currently involved with research, technical assistance and capacity building efforts concentrated around five primary domains:
Urban & Community Development
Our faculty has worked extensively in local communities, throughout Virginia, the nation and internationally to help organizations and grass root efforts flourish. We have supported work that examines the relationship between the arts and community change and also have supported community development initiatives to promote economic revitalization.
Health & Human Services
We study the tensions and assumptions that underpin current health and human service programs and policy design, chart alternatives to existing choices, examine likely implications, and explore creative strategies to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. This work is often undertaken in partnership with government entities and nonprofit organizations.
Governance & Management
We undertake research and programmatic support in the areas of performance, organizational capacity and leadership development. We have undertaken network analysis projects to better understand organizational structures and developed tools to strengthen public-private partnerships.
Sustainability & the Environment
Communities face increasing social, economic and environmental pressures. IPG and our collaborating partners strive to better understand how communities can respond to those pressures and work effectively to face them. Our researchers work with communities to develop the strategies and tools to overcome challenges and thrive in a global society.
Democracy & Civil Society
We support research and the development of understanding on topics such as humanitarian assistance and international development. Faculty members are collaborating with nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations to develop strategies aimed at improving their effectiveness, democratic proceseses, accountability and transparency.
Through various projects affiliated with VTIPG, we promote public participation in local governance and the broader community. We support communities in solving problems, communicating across differences, and developing tools of engagement and inclusivity.
Community Change Collaborative
The Community Change Collaborative is a partnership of students, faculty and community representatives interested in exploring innovative approaches to community building and engagement. The group organizes a series of public talks and roundtable discussions by leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors who share stories and insights about their creative leadership initiatives and innovative approaches to problem-solving.
Dialogue on Race
The Dialogue on Race works to bring people together to talk about race and to begin to address problems of inequality around education, pay, and employment opportunities.
Affiliated Courses
UAP 5084G - ADVANCED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
UAP 5454 - NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION & MANAGEMENT
UAP 5454 - NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
UAP/GIA/PAPA 5034 – DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN THE ECONOMY
UAP/GIA 5154 – GLOBAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
UAP/PSCI 5164 – COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE AND CIVIL SOCIETY
UAP/GIA 5274 – COMPARATIVE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
UAP 5354 – CHARITY, PHILANTHROPY AND CIVIL SOCIETY
UAP 5364 – NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
UAP 5444 – STRATEGIC PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
UAP 5474 – PROGRAM EVALUATION
UAP 5514 – PUBLIC BUDGETING AND MANAGEMENT
UAP/PAPA 5544 – PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
UAP 5564 – INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, SOCIETY, AND PUBLIC POLICY
UAP/GIA/PSCI 5574 – ARTS, CULTURE AND SOCIETY
UAP 5594 – NONPROFIT LAW AND ETHICS
UAP/PAPA 5694 – ASSET MANAGEMENT FOR PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
UAP/GIA/PAPA 5974 – INDEPENDENT STUDY
UAP/GIA/PAPA 5984 – SPECIAL STUDY
PAPA 5674 – FINANCIAL HEALTH OF PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
PAPA 6114 – COMPLEX PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS
PAPA 6124 – BEHAVIOR AND CHANGE IN PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS
PAPA 6324 – PUBLIC PERSONNEL PROCESSES AND THEIR POLICY IMPLICATIONS
GIA 5004 – POWER AND POLICY IN THE U.S.
GIA 5004 – COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
GIA/PSCI 5454 – ADVANCED TOPICS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & PUBLIC POLICYGIA/PSCI 5554 – CULTURE, POLITICS AND SOCIETY IN NETWORK ENVIRONMENTS
GIA/PSCI 5554 – DEMOCRACY BEYOND THE BALLOT
GIA/PSCI 6224 – COMPETING CONCEPTIONS OF THE THIRD SECTOR
Affiliated Academic Programs
VTIPG works with the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) and its academic programs to develop and propose nonprofit and nongovernmental organization-related curricula at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The nonprofit/nongovernmental offerings share a number of characteristics, such as interdisciplinary faculty, a comparative focus, and integration of theory, practice and public policy implications.
Graduate Certificates
The School of Public and International Affairs offers twelve graduate level certificates, many of which have classes that are taught by IPG-affiliated faculty. This includes a certificate in Nonprofit & NGO management. This, and other certificate programs, can be completed wholly online.
Academic Programs
IPG affiliated students are often enrolled in the Center for Public Administration and Policy (CPAP), Government & International Affairs (GIA), and Urban Affairs and Planning (UAP) programs. We also work across Virginia Tech Colleges and programs supporting students in interdisciplinary study and research.
- Developed and managed programs to advance employment opportunities for low income families in the New River and Roanoke regions
- Collaborated on research projects across the University, partnering with SPIA, Engineering, Business, Sociology, Human Development, Public Health and Cooperative Extension
- Sponsored more than 30 regional and national speakers through Community Change Collaborative since 2010
- Supported the Fairfax County Department of Family Services in maintaining an effective and efficient family services system
- Edited and published two editions of "RE: Reflections and Explorations," a collection of essays by VT graduate students and research faculty
- Conducted strategic state level assessments in the domains of behavioral health, disability, foster care, veterans services and broadband access
- Served as leader in establishing early child educational supports in Virginia, and especially in Southwest Virginia
- Developed and advanced human service infrastructure in Virginia localities
- Facilitated community engagement to address emerging and challenging issues of social equity, economy and health