PROGRAMS
Institute for Public Policy
BRINGING PUBLIC PERSPECTIVES INTO THE POLICYMAKING PROCESS

 

The Institute explores public attitudes on a diverse array of issues to provide state, local and national policy makers with the information necessary to make decisions addressing a variety of conflicting public values and interests.
 

Democracy

The IPP continuously examines innovations in  democratic decision-making (e.g., citizen advisory panels and public forums) and assesses the effectiveness of alternative forms of citizen involvement in public policymaking.
 

Education

The IPP also examines attitudes about quality in education and equity in how requirements are administered not only throughout the public school system in New Mexico, but across demographic subgroups and students with disabilities.
 

Environmental Studies

Studies assess the effectiveness of environmental policy initiatives and perceptions of a diverse array of environmental issues, such as water and air pollution and their implications for business and industry and society as a whole.
 

Health Care

Studies assess the effectiveness of health policy initiatives and perceptions of the health care system among consumers and health care providers, while also assessing the implications for policy in a dynamic environment. 
 

Institutional Responsiveness

Another area of study is how people view institutions -- universities, government agencies, and national laboratories, for example -- internally and externally.
 

Public Opinion Profile

An IPP/Department of Political Science publication that examines public attitudes toward a variety of public policy issues both in New Mexico and at the national level.  To view copies of past issues, please visit our library. 
 

Risk Perception

Studies explore how people learn about risks, develop overall risk attributions, and behave in response to perceived risks from a variety of environmental and health hazards.
 

Security

During the past decade the IPP has examined public and elite views about post-Cold War security issues, such as weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and personal security.  Copies of our reports on public perceptions of national security issues are available in our library. 
 

Visiting Scholars Program

The IPP manages a Visiting Research Scholars Program in cooperation with Sandia National Laboratories' Cooperative Monitoring Center (CMC). The CMC is committed to understanding the diverse nature of regional conflict throughout the world and its implications for weapons proliferation, arms control and regional stability.