Russell Weaver, Ph.D., is a geographer, quantitative social scientist, and Director of Research at the Cornell ILR School Buffalo Co-Lab. He was previously an associate professor in the Texas State University Department of Geography, where he taught courses in community geography, community development, urban planning, geographic thought, and quantitative data analysis. Dr. Weaver’s research programs are aimed at understanding and contributing to pathways for context-sensitive, sustainable, and equitable community change. He is the lead author of the book “Shrinking Cities: Understanding Urban Decline in the United States.” Find him on Twitter @RustBeltGeo.
Designing Policies and Policy ChangeCornell Course
Policy Change
Cornell CourseDesigning Policies and Policy Change ()
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Course Overview
Public policy is a course of action created and enacted, typically by a government, in response to an issue or problem that requires attention. In this course, you will analyze the many forms of policy, and you will use tools to help identify both policy problems and potential solutions. In addition, you will consider tough questions about how our policies create and reinforce inequitable outcomes, and you will explore strategies for fighting back. Ultimately, you will design a policy change program to help enable a shift from inequitable to equitable development.
Key Course Takeaways
- Define and distinguish among different forms of policy
- Define a big-picture policy goal that is consistent with an equitable development agenda
- Identify and prepare to use strategies and tactics for changing policy to advance equitable development and economic democracy

How It Works
Course Length
2 weeks
Effort
3-5 hours per week
Format
100% online, instructor-led
Course Author
Russell Weaver
Director of Research
Cornell ILR Buffalo Co-Lab
Director of Research, Cornell ILR Buffalo Co-Lab
Who Should Enroll
- Activists and community development organizers and practitioners
- Policy makers and political staff
- Public interest lawyers and advocates
- Leaders and members of organized labor organizations
- Urban planners and strategic planning agencies
- Social workers
- Grant writers
- Educators
- People interested in engaging in community change
Get It Done
100% Online
100% Online
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