Universities conduct a great deal of research that seeks to both advance our knowledge and to enable us to make a positive difference in our world. Too often, however, this knowledge remains in the academy and does not find its way into the hands of those who could use it to improve public policies and programs and the lives of people they affect.

The mission of the Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise is to improve through the successful mobilization of use-inspired research the effectiveness of government and other institutions in addressing social concerns. Learn more about use-inspired research.

Current Examples of Research

Socioeconomic Class and Educational Achievement in Massachusetts. It is well known that academic achievement is strongly correlated with socioeconomic class. However, some schools substantially surpass their demographic expectations for student performance. In this project, the Mosakowski Institute is exploring possible common elements contributing to the success of “outlier” high schools in Massachusetts. The first phase of this project is a detailed examination of statistical information from all Massachusetts’ public high schools; the project will then identify a subset of schools for more in-depth research.

Family Impact Seminar.  Clark University has been accepted as the Massachusetts affiliate in the national network of universities presenting Family Impact Seminars (FIS). FIS are nonpartisan seminars intended to better connect high quality research and public policy, and to promote policymaking that takes families into account. See www.familyimpactseminars.org. These annual seminars will take place at or near the State House and include 2-3 expert speakers, discussion sessions, and briefing reports. One timely topic will be covered each year. Denise A. Hines, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, directs the FIS program.

 Suburbanization and Water Use. Associate Professor Colin Polsky (Geography) is Principal Investigator for a major National Science Foundation-funded project that is exploring the interaction of human and natural systems that are vital to the environment and inhabitants of rapidly growing coastal areas. The study area comprises 26 Massachusetts towns in the Ipswich and Parker River watersheds. Suburbanizing watershed-estuary systems are a pressing national challenge for coastal zone managers and land owners. The Mosakowski Institute is supporting two Research Fellows (one graduate, one undergraduate) and advising the project on ways it can produce knowledge that will have maximum impact on various groups of potential users.

 “University Research for the New Century.”  The Mosakowski Institute, in collaboration with Professor Nancy Budwig (Psychology), is currently preparing a book proposal based on several of the ideas relating to use-inspired research developed at our November, 2008 inaugural conference, “University Research and the American Agenda.”

Also in development: environmental research project with George Perkins Marsh Institute Director Rob Johnston (Economics); “Improving math and science education” project with Associate Professor Marianne Wiser (Psychology) and Professor Sarah Michaels (Education).