Public Policy Commons^™

Internal And External Determinants Of The Adoption Levels Of Sustainable Development Policies In The Energy, Industry And Agricultural Sectors Of Turkey, The United States, The Russian Federation, And The People’S Republic Of China, Onur Kolcak

Graduate Liberal Studies Theses and Dissertations

Our planet's natural resources have helped humanity advance and build countless civilizations. We are a fossil fuel civilization and have evolved so that today's production and energy use has become the most crucial part of all modern economies. We cannot function without reliable, resilient, and secure energy sources that help us continuously produce. Human history is full of important events that have tremendously shaped our experience on this planet. These experiences have sometimes forced us to make quick decisions and change our ways, but some of these changes occurred gradually and gave us time to plan and adapt. Adaptability is …

Diminishing And Preventing Homelessness: A Managerial Audit Of Santa Clara County Nonprofit Organizations Addressing Homelessness, Sergio J. Gonzalez

Master's Projects

While the problem of homelessness intensifies in the United States, the search for solutions becomes increasingly crucial. As the number of homeless people in Santa Clara County, California continues to surge, various sections of government and nonprofit organizations have intensified their search for ways to reduce the problem. There have been many proposed ideas for a solution, such as policy options and emergency measures to address local crises. For example, the city of San Jose, California, has opened a “bridged housing” community, allocating 80 tiny homes with beds, a desk, and air conditioning in two locations to serve as temporary …

A Cross National Comparison Of Family Friendly Work Policies: The Potential Influence Of Cultural Values, Adeline Grace Hardten

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Around the world people must work for a living, but also must raise their families. To balance these obligations, parents need high levels of support. But the existence of family friendly work policies, defined as paid parental leave and affordable, high-quality childcare, vary significantly across nations, making it difficult for many to obtain the necessary support. Research indicates that countries providing supportive family friendly policies see economic benefits, increases in profitability, and stronger overall youth development. Even though research reveals strong positive outcomes, there is a deficiency of exploration into why more countries still lack comprehensive policies that support working …

Mental Health Stigma: A Wicked Problem, Katelyn Yoh

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Mental health stigma began in the 5th century, continued through the 18th century, and began to improve in the 1840s. Mental health has been viewed as negative and those who suffer from a mental illness or disorder also suffer from stigma as well as negative consequences, such as other mental health concerns, physical issues, and psychological issues due to stigma. This paper goes into deep detail about what mental health stigma is, how stigma is used from peers and internalizes and creates self stigma, what the results of stigma are (all negative), and lastly ways to help put an end …

Hunger In The United States, Trey A. Henry

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

The issue of hunger in the United States is descriptively explained through the standpoints of child hunger, mental health, food security, and elderly people. It is detailed with explanations on how to overcome and adapt to the wicked problem that have plagued our country since it became one. The information produced by authors cited in this essay talk about the main points and the substantial issues that have progressed over time. It sheds light on how prevalent hunger can be with low-income families and the elderly people that do not have the aid to receive enough meals a day. In …

Time To Acknowledge Homeless Youth, Madison Frey

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Today, there are many wicked problems that we face. Climate change, phone usage, substance use, and many others. This may lead to us then neglecting some of the other wicked problems that do not directly relate to us. Homelessness is a wicked problem that has been faced for generations, and many have overcome it and went on to talk about their hardships. What is not spoken about so often is homelessness in youth. It is an ugly truth that needs to be recognized and talked about. They face several issues with not only various parts of their health, but aspects …

Lack Of Resources In Classrooms, Juliana Maffea

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

In different areas of the world, classrooms lack resources. Teachers are trying their hardest to teach their students with what is given to them, but it is not enough. The result of having a lack of resources is students not graduating, teachers burning out, parents scared for their students, and students not getting the proper education. An insufficient amount of resources in classrooms comes from the lack of funding or the improper use of spending in schools. There are solutions to this wicked problem, such as raising more money, making cuts, or changing the way schools spend their money. This …

Global Warming, Benjamin H. Gray Mr.

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Global warming is being affected in many ways on a daily basis and continuing using the same nonrenewable resources is hurting the human civilization as a whole today, and is going to hurt us even more in the future. The world is being affected economically today and is going to have to contribute a large sum of money to clean up the greenhouses gasses. There is also a problem with precipitation a drought due to the temperature and jet streams. Humans are choosing to migrate differently due to the change in temperatures and precipitation which goes hand in hand with …

A Letter To The United States Government On Wealth And Income Inequality, Matthieu Maier

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

The United States of America is the world’s hotspot when it comes to income and wealth inequality. The wealthiest Americans are accumulating more and more wealth everyday while most Americans, who fall somewhere around middle-class, remain struggling and stagnant. The United States’ unchecked and deregulated system of capitalism is the root cause of our country’s inequities along with our government’s refusal to set aside self-interests and biases in order to combat these issues. From the inequality caused by rouged American systems larger issues are created that lead to complications in health, wages, standard of living, and race relations within our …

Wicked Problems: Depression, Sebastian Wendolowski

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Depression is a disorder that can affect anybody and is the leading cause of disability and disorders in the United States. This year, due to COVID-19, it has hit an all time high, affecting many more people. Suicide rates have been steadily growing across all ages, and this year is at a record high too, showing correlation with depression. There are two types of depression, major depressive disorder and chronic depressive disorder. Diagnosis of depression is typically done physically or through a questionnaire, which is compared into a DSM-5. There are many risk factors for depression and other common mental …

Covid-19 Is More Important Than College Football, Gavin J. Riley

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

College Football has been around since 1869, and while it has faced many hardships, this may be the toughest test. With the arrival of the fatal coronavirus, the NCAA, along with the many colleges must find a way to have a safe college football season. Although, it can be argued that having a college football season is not worth risking the lives of many. The NCAA’s plan to go through with a season has strict protocols and guidelines that all teams must abide by, but many players and team members do not feel safe with these guidelines. With the use …

Tackling Poverty, Mark A. Smith-Micthell

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

For many decades America has been stuck in a loop of having millions of impoverished citizens despite being one of the richest countries in the world. Lack of education, mass incarceration, and failed government policy are just some of the many causes of a very perplexing problem. Poverty is a downward spiral that emphasizes the inconsistencies between government policy and the weakness of the country's economy, which can only begin to be overcome if opportunities to help the less fortunate are developed.

Life After A Pandemic, Vito Zazo

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

This paper is a research paper designed to explain how Covid-19 is a wicked problem. I talk about the symptoms that Covid-19 can cause and how this disease does not affect everyone the same way. I talk about the death count from Covid-19 and the statistics behind it. I then talk about how the news has not informed the people correctly on how to prevent the spread of the virus and how it is being handled, because all major news networks are fueled by political views. I talk about the bipartisan views our country has and why it is so …

Are Electric Cars The Future?, Nick Gable

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

My paper is about switching to electric cars for transportation. The end of fossil fuels is soon, and we must preserve them. We must cut down on fossil fuel use to save the environment from pollution. I use statistics on emissions and pollution from conventional cars and explain why we need to switch to electric cars sooner rather than later. I argue that there should be stipulations by the government regarding electric cars and conventional cars on the lot. I also say that we should start producing lots of electric cars as soon as possible.

The Future Of Education As A Wicked Possibility, Eric Busser

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Over the past few decades, technology has become more and more integral in education. The online education response to the COVID-19 pandemic shows how capable technology in distance learning has become in recent years. Education still has a lot more room for implementing technology, and this paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of the inevitable implementation of distance learning in education.

Obesity In The United States Of America, Ana Litzy Cruz

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Obesity is a chronic disease that has increased rapidly in the United States during these last two decades. This disease not only affects people physically, but this disease affects people mentally. Many studies show that the reason that most people develop this disease is due to mental health. And yet society and social media continue to quite literally use obesity for publicity. Now in days, we see so many programs to help those with obesity, but the goals set are not attainable for people with obesity because the programs are more so geared toward either healthier people or financially stable …

The Problem With The School System, Julianna Vanvalin

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

From the beginning of America, schools have existed in some shape or form. However, once the school system became standardized its failings started to show through. The modern school system is discriminatory against disabled students and students of a low socioeconomic status. It also does not properly prepare students for their future, and promotes poor mental health. In order to fix the school system, it is important to recognize the current failings in regards to students and aim to improve them.

The Real Child Welfare System, Najee Williams

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Child welfare began as a series of different policies created to ensure children and families could receive aid when needed. The well-intentioned program has saved countless children and families. Yet we have somehow arrived at a time where if the child welfare program is mentioned it leaves a bitter taste in our mouth. Delving into this I aspire to educate others on the hardships of child welfare and where the tainted image derived from. Finding no singular source, I raise questions such as the following to gain different forms of clarity. Should the parents deemed unfit be a source of …

Climate Change, Dan Etling

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Abstract

Climate change is a problem with no single solution. It has many parts, and, in this article, I break down each component of the wicked problem that is climate change. A shift in power and leadership bring change across the board, so what does the new president have planned for climate change? Anytime someone thinks of climate change, the immediate thought that comes to mind is the carbon footprint but how serious is that? If cars are the leading cause of carbon emissions, what’s the other option? Are we supposed to not drive places? Many people already know about …

Mental Health And Its Wicked Factors, Michael Schuler

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Mental health has long since been an issue in not just our society, but worldwide. While it is difficult to determine exactly what factors affect mental health, there has been significant research done within the past 30 years to show that major factors that affect mental health can be mitigated. Things such as poverty, physical health, and community outreach can all be linked to mental health issues. There are some solutions that will mitigate these factors that can be explored. These solutions can include things like raising awareness for mental illnesses in order to reduce stigma, getting more mental health …

Earth Needs Help, Rhiannon C. Barto

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Humans destroy earth by polluting the atmosphere and wiping out other living things. Climate change is a human created problem that is increasing the rate at which the damage is occurring. The temperature is increasing at the fastest rate that it has in 10,000 years. With change happening this fast, it is hard for nature and animals, including ourselves, to adapt. Climate change is one of the biggest things causing this change and it is crucial to take action before it is too late. We need to stop deforestation, stop CO2 emissions, and stop the use of fossil fuels. The …

American Police Violence, Racism, And Corruption, Ethan Gallagher

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

In this paper, I convey the serious need for change within the American police departments. In America, law enforcement has been systematically oppressed minorities for decades with no repercussions and has been protected by the corrupted system. It is time for new tactics to be implemented in America for dealing with civilians because the cops are not fulfilling their duty to protect the people anymore, they're hurting the people. Everyone in America now either hates the police or are terrified of them making a huge divide between everyone in the country. After seeing all the controversy that has transpired it's …

Why Can't Homeless Addicts Get Help Too, Rachael D. Causland

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Homeless people today struggle more with addiction than people who have stability in their life. Whether it’s due to financial issues, or not having a support system, homeless people struggle to get the help they need for both their addiction and their homelessness. A high number of homeless people report to have started an addiction since being homeless, and they do so to stay alive, in turn people are continuing to stay homeless and many of these people are dying of overdoses or just staying stuck in the situation they are forced to deal with alone. There are some states …

Racism In Education, Kevin M. Donton

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Racism in Education has been a huge problem in the United States today, and it still is. The presence of racism in the education system is quite controversial and many people have strong opinions on it. Its roots date all the way back to slavery in the United States to the Brown vs. the Board of Education case to the Reagan Revolution to present day in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement. Throughout this essay, I will discuss the origins, how it is still happening today, the effects it has on students of color, and ways to dismantle …

Reducing Violence Without Police: A Review Of Research Evidence, Charles Branas, Shani Buggs, Jeffrey A. Butts, Anna Harvey, Erin M. Kerrison, Tracey Meares, Andrew V. Papachristos, John Pfaff, Alex R. Piquero, Joseph Richardson Jr., Caterina Gouvis Roman, Daniel Webster

Publications and Research

Arnold Ventures sought to review the research evidence for violence reduction strategies that do not rely on law enforcement. The John Jay College Research and Evaluation Center (JohnJayREC) and an expert group of researchers from public policy, criminology, law, public health, and social science fields conducted the scan. The research group members worked collaboratively to identify, translate, and summarize the most critical and actionable studies.

United States Police & Society Reform, Madisen Sterner

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

For many years, people of color have had an unsteady relationship with police departments and law enforcement due to police misconduct, use of force, and police brutality. We’ve had many of the same conversations over and over again about what we can do to bring upon change within our departments, but no true, consistent action has been taken. In this paper we discuss multiple solutions to help address the issue of police misconduct, the need for police and society reform, and ways we can work towards mending the relationship between citizens and our police departments. In today’s society, change is …

Our Worst Enemy: Unhealthy Food, Gabriella M. Blando

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

No abstract provided.

Healing A Nation Wounded By A Pandemic, Blake Wetzel

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

Emerging in late 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the United States. There is still so much about this virus that is unknown. It has had a negative effect on education, the economy, and the lifestyle of Americans. Covid-19 has caused many people to be hospitalized, and has even claimed many lives. There are many things that the American people can do to help America and its people recover. Americans must take social responsibility. They must follow the guidelines, such as mask wearing and social distancing, to stop the virus from spreading. Americans can also help out …

The Waterfall Crisis, Guiliana G. Grisaffi

English Department: Research for Change - Wicked Problems in Our World

While the Earth’s surface is 71% covered in water, that does not mean that one day all our water could be gone. The current global water crisis is not just a water crisis-it is a waterfall crisis. One wicked, terrible problem that leads to many other wicked problems, a waterfall crisis. Millions of women and young girls are taken out of work and school and instead forced to collect and gather fresh water for their families. Children are suffering from irreversible health consequences from toxic, contaminated water, an example of a health consequence is a lower IQ from lead poisoning. …

Charter School Funding: Inequity Surges In The Cities, Corey A. Deangelis, Patrick Wolf, Larry Maloney, Jay F. May

School Choice Demonstration Project

Public charter schools increasingly are part of both the national conversation about education policy and the local urban scene in America. Previous studies of public charter schools have examined their achievement effects focused on both the state and metropolitan levels, and funding disparities focused on the state levels. This report is the latest update to a series of studies of funding inequities concentrating on revenue disparities between charters and traditional public schools where charters are most common: metropolitan areas across the country. The 18 urban areas that primarily inform our study include Atlanta, Boston, Camden, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, …