The Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy examines systemic issues at the intersection of social policy and access to opportunity, and helps leaders and residents make informed decisions about those issues.
CRISP projects seek to make race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status a primary focus of the center’s work, with an understanding and a commitment to understanding how these experiences connect with community roles, belonging, access to resources, and individual development experiences that shape efficacy, agency, and overall well-being.
About CRISP
Our Mission
We conduct and share community-relevant research about social discrimination, rights for all, and complex policy issues.
CRISP's primary goals
- Evaluate solutions: Support local organizations in understanding programs that address social policy issues.
- Develop knowledge: Address complex social issues through applied and translational research.
- Disseminate knowledge: Engage stakeholders and community members in issues related to social policy and access to opportunity.
- Support future problem solvers: Train students in skills related to evaluation and problem solving.
CRISP provides a unique opportunity to discuss issues at the nexus of poverty and social demographics. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to addressing disparities, CRISP is dedicated to identifying what can work to reduce them.
Breanca Merritt, founding director
Social policy and opportunity for all
Social policy is complex, involving issues of health, social services, housing, education, criminal justice, and employment, among others. Addressing differences in outcomes across sectors adds to the complexity of ensuring access to opportunities for all, requiring expertise from multiple disciplines to achieve effective, comprehensive solutions.
