Dear Deans, Directors and Department heads,
I am writing as Director of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs to invite you to inform faculty of a University of Illinois System-wide public policy institute they may be interested in joining.
Since its founding in 1947, IGPA has served as a bridge between academic research and real-world public policy. Originally established to advise the Illinois General Assembly during a period of reform, IGPA played a pivotal role in shaping the state's 1969 Constitution. Over the decades, we have continued to influence public service by setting research agendas, educating elected officials and contributing to critical policy discussions in areas like state finance, public health, and education and family impact — all with an unwavering commitment to academic rigor and nonpartisanship.
Now is a critical time to lend our scholarship to the state to help produce the best policy possible. I invite you to pass this message along to faculty in your department who you think would be a good fit. We will help your faculty translate research to public policy audiences, get in touch with other like-minded scholars across the System, and make connections to the Illinois legislature and Illinois government.
Benefits of becoming an IGPA faculty affiliate
Maximize the impact of research: IGPA’s Media and Legislative Relations team disseminates research outcomes to policymakers, legislators, media and other stakeholders across Illinois. We connect the right people with faculty research, ensuring it makes the biggest difference.
Amplify your voice: Develop Policy Spotlights and Briefs — concise research reports summarized for nonacademic audiences. IGPA provides support with writing, editing, design, and dissemination, ensuring research reaches the right decision-makers. To that end, IGPA will be offering a writing workshop covering the Policy Spotlight/Brief development, publication, and dissemination process on Wed, 15 Oct 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. Please join us! RSVP and add to calendar.
Research funding opportunities: IGPA faculty affiliates are eligible to apply for funding through our research grants. These programs support the development of original research on pressing policy problems, with results published in our Policy Spotlight series.
Expanded network: Gain access to a network of over 160 policy-minded scholars across the University of Illinois System. Engage in virtual and in-person discussions, collaborate on projects and share ideas with colleagues who share a passion for impactful research.
Gain exposure and leverage expertise: IGPA fosters collaboration among affiliates through our Working Groups. Currently, these groups focus on education and family policy; fiscal and economic policy; behavioral health; science and technology (with a focus on AI); and equity, justice, and human flourishing.
For more information about IGPA, please visit the IGPA website. For scholars interested in joining IGPA and translating their research into actionable policy solutions, I encourage them to reach out to me. We welcome scholars across the University of Illinois System who share our mission of public service through research.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Superfine
Director, Institute of Government and Public Affairs
bsuperfi@uic.edu