Policy Briefs & Reports
As a policy research institute, IUPRA has been conducting research on social issues affecting Black communities in Texas since its inception in 2011. Through issues briefs, policy reports, community partner projects, and more, IUPRA supports cutting-edge policy research that will change the world, starting here in Texas. Below, you will find a list of all of our research reports and projects by year, with the most recent reports at the top.
Are you interested in collaborating with IUPRA on a research project? Have research questions about policy issues in Texas? Contact us to discuss your ideas and see your research project here next! Fill out this form and we'll get in touch with you.
- 2024
Numbers Brief: Black Statistical Representation in the U.S. Census and Implications for SPD15
Ricardo Henrique Lowe, Jr. and Yasmiyn IrizarryPolicy Brief: Understanding Texas School Finance and Austin ISD’s November 2024 Tax Rate Election
Kevin Foster - Accordion 2Panel 2. Add body text in this space.
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- 2023
Policy Brief: Affirmative Action is No More: What Now?
Nicholas J. Rivera, Sepideh Namvarrad, Kevin J.A. Thomas - I am required.Panel 2. Add body text in this space.
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- 2022
Black Women and the Consequences of Mass Incarceration in Texas Part 2
Tracie Lowe, PhD, Rudjy Ponceja, MEd, Ricardo Henrique Lowe, Jr., M.S. - 2021
Supporting STEM Education & Workforce Opportunities for Black Students
Annika Olson, MA, MPPExpansion of Surveillance Technology and its Impact on Communities of Color
Annika Olson, MA., MPP, Meera SamBlack Women and Mass Incarceration Report Part 1- Historical Perspective
Tracie Lowe, PhD, Rudjy Ponceja, MEd, Ricardo Henrique Lowe, Jr., M.S.Issue Brief: The Impact of Gate Money and Bail Reform on Communities of Color
Annika Olson, MA., MPP, Imaad HudaCOVID-19 and the Classroom: Back to School and Mental Health
Nabeeha Engineer, Annika Olson, MA, MPPImpact of the I-35 Expansion
Avani Chhaya, Annika Olson, MA, MPPA Look at Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Tracie Lowe, PhD, Jordan Pacelli Everett, MSW, Annika Olson, MA, MPP, Meera Sam
Issue Brief: The Impact of Environmental Racism and Legislation for Change
Annika Olson, MA, MPP, Meera SamBlack Suburbia in the Dallas Metropolis
Ricardo Henrique Lowe, Jr.Special Session: Forecasting Senate Bill 7
Annika Olson, MA, MPP, Imaad HudaSpecial Session: Broadband Access & Digital Inclusion in Rural Texas
Annika Olson, MA, MPP, Nabeeha Engineer, Meera Sam, Tarun Chinta
Texas Senate Bill 7: What it is and Why it Matters
Annika Olson, MA., MPP, Imaad HudaHB 3979, HB 1925 and Proposition B: Policy Recommendations Brief
Annika Olson, MA., MPP, Imaad Huda, Danielle Wright, PhDIssue Brief: The Implications of HB 3979, HB 1925, Proposition B, and Black Community Experiences
Annika Olson, MA., MPP, Imaad Huda, Danielle Wright, PhDThe State of Texas Blueprint
Annika Olson, MA., MPP, Meghan NguyenTexas Winter Storm: A Look at Energy Insecurity Across the State
Annika Olson, MA., MPP, Meera SamOccupational Segregation in the Austin Technopolis: Racial Disparities in the Local Labor Markets Between Texas-Born Workers and Out-of-State Migrants
Ricardo Henrique Lowe, Jr., M.S.Law Enforcement in Texas Schools
Annika Olson, MA., MPP, Meera SamThe Impact of COVID-19 on Black Families
Annika Olson, MA., MPP, Nabeeha Engineer - 2020
Advancing Equity in AISD (Brief 2)
Ricardo Lowe, MS and Annika Olson, MA., MPP
Redistricting in Texas and Its Impact on Communities of Color
Annika Olson, MA., MPP, Meghan Ngyuen, Meera SamTriple Threat: COVID-19, Racial Injustice and Mental Health
Annika Olson, MA., MPP., Nabeeha EngineerA Snapshot of Black Immigrants in Texas
Ricardo Lowe, MSDual-Language Programs and Black Student Achievement
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Tracie Lowe, PhDAdvancing Equity in AISD: What We Know About the Role of Equity Offices in Public School Districts Part 1
Ricardo Lowe, MS; Annika Olson, MA, MPPIssue Brief: Racially Restrictive Covenants
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Nabeeha Engineer; Danielle C.H. Wright, PhDQuick Definitions Guide: Education in Texas
Annika Olson, MA, MPPBlack Women on the Frontline Part 3: Policy Recommendations
Tracie Lowe, PhD; Ricardo Lowe, MSLocal Legislative Body Resolution Writing Guide
Stephanie Asper, BA; Annika Olson, MA, MPPBlack Women on the Frontline Part 2: A Statewide Overview
Ricardo Lowe, MS; Tracie Lowe, PhDPolicing, Justice, and Black Communities Part 3: Policing, Policy, and Transformative Justice - An Overview of Reform and Abolition Strategies
Chloe White, BA; Annika Olson, MA, MPPPolicy Solutions to Address School Segregation for Equitable Outcomes
Valerie Sterne, MA; Stephanie Asper, BAPublic and Charter School Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic Series: Dallas | Houston | Austin
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Ricardo Lowe, MS; Rachel Boggs, MEdPolicing, Justice, and Black Communities Part 2: A Brief Guide for Understanding Police Defunding, Reform, Disbanding, and Abolition
Tracie Lowe, PhDThe Long-Term Effects of Racial and Economic School Segregation
Valerie Sterne, MAPolicing, Justice, and Black Communities Part 1: A Historical Overview
Ricardo Lowe, MSLearning Loss During COVID-19 and Findings from the Census Household Pulse Survey
Annika Olson, MA, MPPDisconnected Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Lynn HuynhElementary School Poverty Disparities in Texas
Valerie Sterne, MABlack Women on the Frontline Part 1: A National Overview
Tracie Lowe, PhD; Ricardo Lowe, MSBe Counted: Why the Census Is So Important and Who Is at Risk
Ricardo Lowe, MS; Annika Olson, MA, MPPEducation and the Digital Divide in Texas City Spotlight Fact Sheet Series: Austin | Dallas | El Paso | Fort Worth | Houston | San Antonio
Tracie Lowe, PhD; Ricardo Lowe, MS; Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Lynn HuynhOn the Frontline: A Demographic Portrait of Essential Workers in Texas
Ricardo Lowe, MSIssue Brief: The State of Small Black-Owned Businesses
Tracie LoweThe Digital Divide: COVID-19 and Older Adults (Resource Sheet)
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Lynn HuynhThe Digital Divide: COVID-19 and Older Adults (Issue Brief)
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Lynn HuynhThe Digital Divide and Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Ricardo Lowe, MS; Lynn HuynhMost Black College Students Support Affirmative Action but Not the Use of Race in Admissions
Kevin Cokley, PhD; Tracie Lowe, PhDIssue Brief: Community Land Trusts as Tool for Affordable Housing
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Lynn HuynhA Never-Ending Struggle: Examining County-Level School Segregation Across Texas
Ricardo Lowe, MS; Valerie Sterne, MAPolicy Brief: Improving Homeowner Association Oversight and Homeowner Protections
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Danielle C.H. Wright, PhD; Lynn HuynhIssue Brief: Homeowners Associations Across Texas
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Lynn HuynhPublic School Equity Audits Issue Brief Series: Part III - Implementation Considerations
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Lynn HuynhPublic School Equity Audits Issue Brief Series: Part II - Atlanta, GA Case Study
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Lynn HuynhPublic School Equity Audits Issue Brief Series: Part I
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Lynn HuynhExamining Enrollment Trends Between AISD and Local Charter Schools: A Demographic Perspective
Ricardo Lowe, MS; Rachel Boggs, MEdAffordable Housing in Austin, Texas - Part 3: Recommendations
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Tracie Lowe, PhD; Lynn HuynhAffordable Housing in Austin, Texas - Part 2: Drivers of Housing Affordability
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Tracie Lowe, PhD; Lynn HuynhIUPRA Guide to Austin Land Code Definitions
Annika Olson, MA, MPPAffordable Housing in Austin, Texas - Part 1: Overview
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Tracie Lowe, PhD; Lynn HuynhUnderstanding Housing Terms
Annika Olson, MA, MPP - 2019
Centering Southeast Georgetown Community Voices 2019: Update, Explore Emerging Needs, and Evaluate Impact of Georgetown Health Foundation (GHF) Response to 2015 Assessment English | Spanish
Tracie A. Lowe, PhD; Juan Tiney Chirix, MA; Nina ClintonIssue Brief: The Value of a Small School
Annika Olson, MA, MPPNumbers Brief: Rising Property Values of AISD Schools Slated for Closure
Ricardo Lowe, MSIssue Brief: Using Research to Shape School Consolidations
Annika Olson, MA, MPPPolicy Brief: Using Data to Inform the AISD School Changes Strategy
Annika Olson, MA, MPP; Ricardo Lowe, MSDestruction in the Name of Progress: Austin's Impact on the Local Black Population
Kevin Foster, PhDThe State of Black Lives in Texas: Income & Poverty Report
Michele Rountree, PhD; Rosanna Barrett, PhD; Lauren Lluveras, JD; Nino Rodriguez, PhD; Richa Gupta, MPH; Ryan CarlinoThe State of Black Lives in Texas: Criminal Justice Report
Shavonne Henderson, JD; Naomi Reed, PhD; Nolan Krueger, PhD Candidate; Miranda Badgett, MSSW/MPAff CandidateThe State of Black Lives in Texas: Health Report
Michele A Rountree, PhD; Rosanna Barrett, PhD; Lauren Lluveras, JD; Rayven Plaza, PhD - 2018
Disparate Rates of Black Women Dying: At Birth and Postpartum Period
Michele A Rountree, PhD; Tracie A Lowe, PhDIssue Brief - Payday Lending among Communities Impacted by Natural Disaster
Lauren Lluveras, JDThe State of Black Lives in Texas: Housing Report
Lauren Lluveras, JD; Susan Phan, MPAffThe State of Black Lives in Texas: Education Report
kihana miraya ross, PhD; Kevin Cokley, PhD; Ryan Carlino; Susan Phan; Miranda Badgett; Jacob HoodFall 2016 & Spring 2017 IUPRA Poll: Criminal Justice Report
Richa Gupta, MPH; Lauren Lluveras, JD; Andrea Charles, MSWFall 2016 & Spring 2017 IUPRA Poll: Education Report
Richa Gupta, MPH; Kevin Cokley, PhDThose Who Stayed: The Impact of Gentrification on Longstanding Residents of East Austin Residents
Eric Tang, PhD; Bisola Falola, PhD
- 2017
Fall 2016 & Spring 2017 IUPRA Poll: Racial Climate Report
Richa Gupta, MPH; Samantha White-Wilson; Naomi Reed, PhDFall 2016 & Spring 2017 IUPRA Poll: Health Report
Richa Gupta, MPH; Samantha White-Wilson; Shetal Vohra-Gupta, PhD - 2016
Eliminating Hate Incidence on the University of Texas at Austin Campus
Loyce Gayo; Jonathan Lin Davis; Amanda Woog, JD; Naomi Reed, PhD; Shetal Vohra-Gupta, PhDDesigning an Effective Hate Crime/Bias Tolerance Policy: Identifying Critical Success Factors
Jonathan Lin Davis; Loyce Gayo; Shetal Vohra-Gupta, PhDCritical Race Analysis of Student Policy on Race Relations
Loyce Gayo; Shetal Vohra-Gupta, PhD; Naomi Reed, PhD; Jonathan Lin DavisThose Who Left: Austin's Declining African American Population
Eric Tang, PhD; Bisola Falola, PhDTexas Custodial Death Report: Police, Jail, and Prison Deaths, 2005-2015
Amanda Woog, JDAre You Listening? Community Impact Statement: Volume 1
Leonie JonesIUPRA Poll: Texas Voters' Attitudes about Health Care
DOWNLOAD: Summary | Graphs | MemoIUPRA Poll: Texas Voters' Attitudes about Education
DOWNLOAD: Summary | Graphs | MemoIUPRA Poll: Texas Voters' Attitudes about Police and Criminal Justice
DOWNLOAD: Summary | Graphs | MemoIUPRA Poll: Texas Voters' Attitudee about Gun Laws
DOWNLOAD: Summary | Graphs | MemoDiscipline Disparities for Black Girls with Disabilities in TX Schools
Karen Moran Jackson, PhD; Leonie JonesOfficer-Involved Shootings Report #3 - Update: Developments in HB 1036 Implementation and Reporting
Amanda Woog, JD - 2015
Officer-Involved Shootings Report #2 - Update: Developments in HB 1036 Implementation and Reporting
Amanda R. Woog, JDImplementation of the New Officer-Involved Shooting Reporting Requirements
Amanda R. Woog, JDBlack Girls Face Disproptionate Discipline in Texas Schools
Karen Moran Jackson PhD; Renée Hatcher, JD; Leonie JonesTexas School Financing Continues a Regressive Trend
Karen Moran Jackson, PhD; Victor O. Obaseki, JDDocumenting Racial Disparities and Disproportionality
Jonathan L. Davis, MPAff; Karen Moran Jackson, PhDPost-Legislative Session Report: Primary and Secondary Education
Dongmei Li, PhD; Victor O. Obaseki, JD; Karen Moran Jackson, PhDPost-Legislative Session Report: Juvenile and Criminal Justice
Victor O. Obaseki, JD; Leonie Jones, BA; Karen Moran Jackson, PhD
Examining the Texas Prison Reform Model: How Texas is Maintaining Racial Disparity and Mass Incarceration
Caitlin M. Dunklee, MPAff; Rebecca A. Larsen, MSSW, MPAffThe Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities: Spearheading Texas's Ongoing Fight Against Institutional Racism and Other Causes of Inequity
Victor O. Obaseki, JD; Renée Hatcher, JDSingle-Sex Public Education and African American Males: A Response to Racial and Gender Inequity
Kevin Cokley, PhD; Steven Stone, MEdSoutheast Gerogetown Needs Assessment: Documenting Resident Stories and Community Conditions
Georgetown Health Foundation and The Institute for Urban Policy Research & AnalysisThe Campus Climate for University of Texas at Austin Faculty
Germine Awad, PhD; Erin Reilly, MEd; Richard Reddick, EdD; Kevin Cokley, PhD - Accordion 4Panel 4. Add body text in this space.
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- 2014
A Stagnant Minimum Wage: A Form of Modern-Day Slavery?
Shetal Vohra-Gupta, PhD; Kathryn A. Freeman, JDOutlier: The Case of Austin's Declining African-American Population
Eric Tang, PhD; Chunhui Ren, PhD - 2013
Mental Health Education in African American Divinity/Theology Schools
Albert Thompkins, PhD; King Davis, PhDThe Lives of Blacks in Texas: Income and Poverty
Shetal Vohra-Gupta, PhD; Jemel Aguilar, PhD; Chunhui Ren, PhD; Jennifer AlexanderThe Lives of Blacks in Texas: Housing Conditions
Shetal Vohra-Gupta, PhD; Seth A. Kessler, MPA; Chunhui Ren, PhD; Jennifer Alexander; Jemel Aguilar, PhDPost-Legislative Session Report: Primary and Secondary Education
Victor O. Obaseki, JD; Seth A. Kessler, MPA; Kathryn A. Freeman, JDPost-Legislative Session Report: Health and Human Services
Victor O. Obaseki, JD; Seth A. Kessler, MPA; Kathryn A. Freeman, JDPost-Legislative Session Report: Personal Finance
Kathryn A. Freeman, JD; Victor O. Obaseki, JD; Seth A. Kessler, MPA - 2012
Do Vouchers Create More Inequality? Lessons from Universal Implementation in Chile
Jaime Portales, PhD; Julian Vasquez Heilig PhDThe Lives of Blacks in Texas: Demographic Trends in the African American Population, 1950-2010
Shetal Vohra-Gupta, PhD; Jemel P. Aguilar, PhD; Jennifer Alexander; Chunhui Ren, PhDWomen of Color and Minimum Wage: A Policy of Racial, Gender, and Economic Discrimination
Shetal Vohra-Gupta, PhDHIV Testing in State Prisons: A Call for Provider-Initiated Routine HIV Screening Policy
Jemel P. Aguilar, PhDIs Texas Leading Its Peers and the Nation? A Decadal Analysis of Educational Data
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