Research Findings

Police-mental health co-response versus police-as-usual response to behavioral health emergencies

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

As communities seek new approaches to behavioral health emergencies, police-mental health co-response teams have gained increasing attention. Researchers from Indiana University, George Mason University, the University of San Diego School of Medicine, and RTI International examined a first-of-its-kind Indianapolis study comparing co-response teams with traditional police-only responses. The findings provide new insights into the opportunities and challenges of alternative crisis response approaches.

Understanding the economic impact of hyperscale data centers in Northwest Indiana

Friday, October 02, 2026

As communities across the United States compete to attract major technology investments, hyperscale data centers have emerged as a new form of economic development. Researchers from Indiana University and Capital University examined the potential economic impacts of a hypothetical hyperscale data center campus in Northwest Indiana, including effects on employment, earnings, and regional economic output. The study explores how facilities that support cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital services generate economic activity during construction and operations and identifies factors that influence how benefits are distributed across communities.

Pretrial diversion and subsequent case referrals: Evidence from Lake and Monroe Counties

Tuesday, August 04, 2026

As part of the Promoting Racial Justice and Transparency in Indiana project, Indiana University researchers examined how pretrial diversion programs (PDPs) operate in Lake and Monroe Counties and evaluated their impact on later criminal case referrals.

Indiana Prison Writers Workshop: Recidivism outcomes among participants

Monday, July 06, 2026

Education and arts programs in prisons help people build skills, confidence, and stability for life after incarceration, but few have been studied closely. The Center for Health and Justice Research (CHJR) at the Indiana University Public Policy Institute partnered with the Indiana Prison Writers Workshop to analyze its effect on recidivism among people returning from IDOC facilities.

A review of the community schools model: implications for future practice

Monday, April 27, 2026

Community schools combine academics, family supports, and community partnerships to help students in high-poverty neighborhoods overcome barriers to learning. PPI analysts examined the development of the community schools model, bringing together decades of research on how providing health, social, and family supports; expanding learning opportunities; and strengthening family and community engagement contribute to student success.

A review of the community schools model: implications for future practice

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Community schools combine academics, family supports, and community partnerships to help students in high-poverty neighborhoods overcome barriers to learning. PPI analysts examined the development of the community schools model, bringing together decades of research on how providing health, social, and family supports; expanding learning opportunities; and strengthening family and community engagement contribute to student success.

Indiana Prison Writers Workshop: Recidivism outcomes among participants

Thursday, April 02, 2026

Education and arts programs in prisons help people build skills, confidence, and stability for life after incarceration, but few have been studied closely. The Center for Health and Justice Research (CHJR) at the Indiana University Public Policy Institute partnered with the Indiana Prison Writers Workshop to analyze its effect on recidivism among people returning from IDOC facilities.

CRISP researchers analyze the Great Families 2020 initiative

Tuesday, September 23, 2025

During the past five years, researchers at Indiana University assessed levels of collaboration as well as the impact of participating organizations.  

Examining the economic impact of the Indy Parks system on the community

Thursday, September 04, 2025

Between parks programming, property value effects, and spending in the local economy, the Indy Parks and Recreation system had an estimated economic impact of nearly $107 million in 2019.  

Two new reports focus on rural roads and bridges

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

The Indiana General Assembly passed legislation in 2016 and 2017 that expanded the resources available to local governments for local roads and bridges. The PPI research team completed a series of reports with support from the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. 

Disaster response and climate change: What predicts risk reduction behavior?

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Professor Beth Gazley collaborated with the IU Public Policy Institute (PPI) to study and document disaster response and climate change in Indiana.

2024 Indiana gubernatorial forum: Your voices, your future

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

On September 6, PPI Director Tom Guevara sat down with all three candidates for governor—Sen. Mike Braun, Jennifer McCormick, and Donald Rainwater—to discuss key policy issues affecting the future of our state.

Inadequate childcare costs Indiana nearly $1.1 billion annually

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Hoosier state loses more than $1 billion in economic activity every year due to childcare-related absenteeism and turnover. The disruptions cost the state an additional $119 million in tax revenue every year.

Student perspectives on Indiana's key policy issues

Thursday, June 12, 2025

As we approach another election year and Indiana voters prepare to return to the polls to elect new leaders for our state, we believe it is important to highlight issues that our research assistants would like to educate voters on, including important topics like homelessness, food insecurity, and LGBTQ rights. Learn about their work by reading their policy briefs.

Understanding the impact of Cook Medical's 38th & Sheridan project

Thursday, June 12, 2025

PPI researchers analyzed the economic impacts of the construction of a medical device manufacturing facility on Indianapolis' northeast side and provided a set of recommendations to Cook Medical and its community partners.

Understanding the impact of Cook Medical's Indy Fresh Market project

Thursday, June 05, 2025

PPI researchers analyzed the economic impacts of the construction of the Indy Fresh Market, a full-service grocery store which is part of Cook Medical's 38th & Sheridan project on Indianapolis' northeast side.

Community views on prosecutor-led diversion programs in Monroe County, Indiana

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Experts from the O’Neill School and IU Bloomington Criminology and Criminal Justice Department partnered with local prosecutors in Monroe and Lake Counties and the Monroe County NAACP to review diversion programs designed to reduce the harmful impacts of conviction while reserving court resources for more serious cases. This brief examines data collected from Monroe County diversion program interviews and focus groups to assess policies and procedures, document racial and ethnic disparities, and promote accountability and transparency.

Faculty contributions to the 2024 gubernatorial forum

Monday, April 14, 2025

For its fourth annual gubernatorial forum in 2024, PPI collaborated with faculty from across Indiana University to develop a series of policy briefs on critical issues facing Indiana—childcare, workforce development, economic innovation, healthcare, community resiliency, and confidence in institutions.

Indiana local government officials’ contracting with nonprofits

Monday, April 14, 2025

Local governments routinely contract with nonprofits and other entities to provide essential services. PPI collaborated with Distinguished Professor Emerita Kirsten Grønbjerg to prepare a policy brief examining the contracting arrangements local government officials (LGOs) use to provide a range of services and how contracting with nonprofits has changed over time.

Explaining which local government officials contract with nonprofits

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Nonprofits provide substantial levels of service to Indiana communities. PPI collaborated with Distinguished Professor Emerita Kirsten Grønbjerg to prepare a policy brief investigating which conditions related to whether local government officials (LGOs) contract with them.

Maternal mortality in Indiana: Contributing factors, progress, and policy recommendations

Wednesday, April 09, 2025

Although Indiana has made some progress in reducing maternal mortality, it remains a major health issue. In this policy brief, PPI analysts examine maternal mortality in Indiana to identify its causes. They investigate how the state is addressing the problem and what additional measures may be taken to reduce MMR.

Climate resilience building in the emergency response network

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Professor Beth Gazely collaborated with the IU Public Policy Institute (PPI) to prepare a policy brief investigating what kinds of organizations respond to local disasters in Indiana and to what extent they engage in risk reduction to adapt to climate change. It includes an examination of attitudes and behaviors to understand how thinking about climate change may predict an organization’s success in disaster planning.

Innovative Reentry Initiative in Indianapolis (2024): Summary of findings

Monday, March 10, 2025

Paul H. O’Neill School of Public Affairs Professor Eric Grommon and CRISP researchers contracted with the Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety to evaluate the impacts of its Innovative Reentry Initiative program.

Analysis of the economic and fiscal contributions of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) contracted with the IU Public Policy Institute (PPI) to document the economic value of its activities from June 2022 to May 2023. Learn more.

A review of the Indianapolis Public Schools Police Department

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

PPI researchers assessed the extent to which existing IPS PD practices, policies, and procedures align with bias-free evidence-based practices.  

Understanding and reducing probation revocations in Monroe County

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

IU researchers spent two years analyzing the core factors shaping probation violation and revocation trends in Monroe County, Indiana.  

Indiana gubernatorial forum: Policy conversations with the candidates

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

Former Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard sits down with the three candidates for governor—Eric Holcomb, Woody Myers, Donald Rainwater—to discuss issues facing Hoosiers.   

Homeownership and home values in Marion County's Black neighborhoods

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

A basic needs survey of IUPUI students reveals four areas where they have unmet needs: finances, food, housing, and mental health.  

IUPUI housing instability and food insecurity

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

A basic needs survey of IUPUI students reveals four areas where they have unmet needs: finances, food, housing, and mental health.  

Mapping unsheltered homelessness in Indianapolis

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

PPI researchers analyze the distribution of unsheltered homeless people in Indianapolis and their proximities to shelter, transportation, and other resources throught the city.

Precursor activities related to U.S. terrorism incidents

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

A summary of key findings from National Institute of Justice research on the nature of the terrorism planning process and how key factors are associated with success or failure of incidents.

Volunteer retention at the Boy Scouts of America

Tuesday, March 04, 2025

PPI used administrative and research data to provide recommendations to the BSA on how to best manage and control volunteer turnover.

Economic impact of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Wednesday, April 03, 2024

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO), established in 1930, is one of the most versatile professional orchestras in the United States, performing nearly 200 concerts annually. ISO contracted with the Indiana University Public Policy Institute (PPI) to determine the economic contribution of its activities to the Indianapolis area.