Publications

On their website, SoundThinking Inc. (formerly ShotSpotter, Inc.), claims that ShotSpotter enables law enforcement to "1) be able to respond to a higher percentage of gunfire incidents; 2) improve response times to crime scenes to better aid victims ...

People with disabilities represent one of the largest and most heterogeneous populations in the United States, spanning all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. In fact, nearly one in four American adults (approximately 50 million indivi...

"Nice Streets, Mean Streets: Mapping Transportation Accessibility in Southeast Michigan" was one of 10 global projects selected by Strava, the popular ride and run tracking app, for its inaugural Metro for Academic Researchers Program. The project le...

Executive summaryThis memo briefly describes what assistive technology (AT) is; summarizes how it differs from other accessibility terms; compares the different types of AT; and outlines the legal structures and barriers for supporting and using AT i...

Quantum computing (QC), once considered simply a part of theoretical physics, has advanced rapidly in the last few decades. The QC industry has entered the "utility era," where quantum systems are beginning to demonstrate practical advantages for spe...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly a factor in cases of discrimination statewide in Michigan but can be difficult to discern, due to its novelty and many forms. MDCR officers need tools and knowledge around where and how to identify AI as a...

Expanded access to online gambling is eroding the financial health of low-income Americans. Despite significant private-sector profits and substantial tax windfalls for states, evidence is mounting that these new online markets are driving vulnerable...

This report briefly summarizes the types of electric utilities and energy markets in the United States and examines some of the policy reforms that are open to local communities for each utility type and energy market. The report also outlines two ad...

Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency's (OLHSA) frontline case managers provide critical aid to vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. When used carefully and responsibly, AI tools may help case managers complete their administrative ta...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can create images, voices, or texts that look and sound real — but aren't. The misuse of AI is considered voter suppression when it intimidates or misleads voters. Communities historically targeted by voter suppression ta...

The state of Michigan's newly implemented Ohio Youth Assessment System Detention Tool (OYAS-DET) weighs factors including family incarceration history and attitudes towards the juvenile justice system that could potentially misclassify some youth as ...

HB 5271 would promote justice in Michigan by expanding access to post-conviction DNA testing for individuals who pleaded guilty under pressure and those who were convicted after the arbitrary cutoff threshold of 2001. Post-conviction DNA testing is a...

Every day, stories about how Artificial Intelligence is "reshaping society" and "transforming the economy" crowd news headlines. These dramatic narratives are rivaled only by even more grandiose claims about how the impending advent of Artificial Gen...

Executive SummarySmartwatches and wearable devices have become increasingly popular tools for health monitoring, and recent research has explored potential applications for autistic individuals. However, wearable health data is not covered by federal...

The surge in cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and artificial intelligence is driving a growing need for storage, processing power, and connectivity. Data centers are the facilities that house the servers, routers, cooling systems, a...

Nuclear energy, a source of stable, carbon-free electricity, has long been considered essential for meeting growing global energy demands. Amid the climate emergency, geopolitical instability, and energy insecurity, it has recently regained attention...

The Science, Technology, and Public Policy (STPP) program does not use generative AI to create text or images for our publications, and to the best of our ability, we do not publish GenAI produced work created by others. There are many reasons not to...

The widespread use of 911 call analysis as evidence by law enforcement and in criminal proceedings has raised significant concerns about its scientific validity and its impact on the criminal justice system. Despite lacking robust empirical support, ...

Forensic science—or the application of scientific methods and practices to matters of law—can help identify perpetrators of crimes, but if not properly overseen, regulated, and updated according to the latest standards, can also implicate an innocent...

Pedestrians rely on crosswalks to gauge whether a road crossing is reasonably safe. In municipalities that choose to enable it, traffic signals enter late-night flash (LNF) mode when traffic volume is sufficiently low. Not only do late-night flash op...

The rapid growth of data centers, with their enormous energy and water demands, necessitates targeted policy interventions to mitigate environmental impacts and protect local communities. To address these issues, states with existing data center tax ...

The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 has significantly heightened concerns regarding the privacy and security of reproductive health data in the United States. With the increased potential for the criminalization of people seeking abortions, there ...

There is a significant amount of waste regarding Medicaid spending at the Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) and Community Mental Health Services Program (CMHSP) levels in the state of Michigan. This loss leads to fewer dollars being available for ...

The number of artificial intelligence (AI)-related measures introduced in the legislatures of U.S. states and territories continues to grow. Measures regulating government use, elections, education and training, and effects on labor were the most pop...

This research describes the current landscape of STEM-in-Society higher education programs across the United States and uses case studies—including interviews with program leaders, students, and alumni—to illustrate the current opportunities and chal...