Pittsburgh Policy Initiative (PPI): the University of Pittsburgh’s first student-run think tank

The Pittsburgh Policy Initiative (PPI), sponsored by the Office of Community Engaged Learning in the Frederick Honors College, represents an innovative approach to civic education as the University of Pittsburgh’s first student-run think tank. Its flagship Policy Analyst Program (PAP) exemplifies engaged scholarship by integrating policy analysis with community-based research to address pressing local issues. Through interdisciplinary teams, faculty collaborations, and direct community engagement, students address critical challenges facing Pittsburgh neighborhoods—including limited healthcare access, affordable housing shortages, and food insecurities—while amplifying underrepresented voices in the policymaking process. Grounded in residents’ lived experiences, the PAP empowers students to become civic leaders while rebuilding trust between institutions and communities. The program allows students to drive meaningful change by presenting actionable solutions to policymakers at PPI's annual forum. This workshop will showcase PPI’s model, offering strategies to design community-engaged research initiatives that strengthen civic preparedness, build institutional trust, and uplift community voices.