Bringing transformative change to our community through a curated research process.
We discuss issues with community activists and leaders, and review past relevant research. We use
primary research methods, from surveys and focus groups to econometric data analysis. At the end of our
projects, we introduce bills to local and state legislation and create community education campaigns.
Current Projects
Ongoing
Mental Health
BIP’s Mental Health research team operates with the ambitious goal of assessing the state of
behavioral healthcare in Rhode Island and advocating for data-driven policy prescriptions to
improve upon its shortcomings.
Ongoing
Sexual and Reproductive Access
The SARA team works with the Womxn Project to expand sexual and reproductive health services in Rhode Island through assessing state parental involvement laws and creating research-backed policymaking and advocacy recommendations.
Ongoing
Confession Accountability
The focus of the Confession Accountability team is to research the use of coercive interrogation techniques against minors in Rhode Island, trace their unequal impact and connection to wrongful convictions, and advocate against their use.
Ongoing
Older Adult Policy
The Older Adult Policy team researches and advocates for legislation to support the socioeconomic needs of older adults in Providence.
Past Projects
Completed
Water Quality
The lead levels of Providence drinking water have exceeded the federal limit since 2007, and we
believe it has contributed to growing lead poisoning cases. Our goal is to advocate for
equitable full lead pipe replacement.
Completed
Basic Emergency and Response Skills
We are advocating for new RI legislation that will ensure that
teachers across the state are trained in a series of “Basic Emergency and Response Skills”
(BEARS). These skills include CPR training, bleeding control, and choking protocol.
Completed
Student Privacy
In an age during which technology is inextricably linked to education, students are “plugged in” nearly all day long. Unfortunately, this comes with intrinsic drawbacks, among which are threats to student privacy.
Completed
Refugee Education
In June 2019, Johns Hopkins published a report detailing the concerning
and systemic failures of the Providence public school system. The conclusions prompted the state
to initiate its first ever takeover of the school district.
Completed
BIP Transportation Access
BIPTA is a team dedicated to RIPTA (the RI Public Transit Authority) and improving public transit in RI. It is investigating fare-free transit, the impact of removing Kennedy Plaza, and updating RIPTA's bus stops.
