Reimagining the Future of Policy in Providence
Brown Initiative for Policy is a student-run, non-partisan think tank. We propose and advocate for sensible solutions to problems in our community.
Explore our Mission
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Current Projects
Our Purpose
Our main goal is to translate quantitative and qualitative research on problems in Brown's community into solutions. We strive to assist local leaders in the work they are already doing to realize change in their community, so we partner with local non-profits, advocates, and even politicians to design and implement projects. Along the way, we build meaningful relationships and train critical thinkers, who we hope will be the next generation of public policy-shapers in their local communities.
Featured Project
Housing Opportunities Made Equitable
The Housing Opportunities Made Equitable (HOME) Team is focused on how the affordable housing crisis in Rhode Island has come to be and the steps that can be taken to address it both from a policy and research perspective.
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Ongoing
Cancer Prevention & Screening Policy
The focus of the Cancer Prevention & Screening Policy Team (CPSP) is to research barriers to timely breast cancer diagnosis in Rhode Island, advocating for cost-sharing of medically necessary follow-up imaging and equitable access to early cancer detection.
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Our Research Approach
What differentiates BIP from most think tanks is our focus not only on producing research, but our ability to translate the research into tangible benefit for Providence and Rhode Island communities.
The foundation of BIP is the network of collaborators with whom we source projects, ensuring they are useful to the community.
01: Establishing Partnerships
02: Community Research
With the aid of partners, we collect local data (i.e. surveys and focus groups) to tailor policy ideas to the community.
We conduct analysis on data collected, review policy literature, and develop ideas that, in the long run, can be solutions.
03: Developing Policy Proposals
04: Impact
We determine which ideas are feasible in the short term, from legislation to information campaigns, and advocate to see them implemented by stakeholders.
Our
Research
Approach
What differentiates BIP from most think tanks is our focus not only on producing research, but our ability to translate the research into tangible benefit for Providence and Rhode Island communities.
01
Establishing Partnerships
The foundation of BIP is the network of collaborators with whom we source projects, ensuring they are useful to the community.
02
Community Research
With the aid of partners, we collect local data (i.e. surveys and focus groups) to tailor policy ideas to the community.
03
Developing Policy Proposals
We conduct analysis on data collected, review policy literature, and develop ideas that, in the long run, can be solutions.
04
Legislation Implementation
We determine which ideas are feasible in the short and long term, from legislation to information campaigns, and advocate to see them implemented alongside our community partners.
A student-run team passionate about change in the Providence community.
Members of BIP come from a broad number of backgrounds, united by a common goal. From computer science concentrators to history concentrators, Rhode Island-natives to international students, first-years to seniors, we bring a myriad of experiences and thinking styles to the work we do.
Want to Join or Partner With Us?
Find out how.