“The Wesleyan Institute for Policy was founded to develop actionable, evidence-based policy recommendations by integrating social, economic, and urban analysis. Through partnerships with local and state-level stakeholders, WIP seeks to deliver informed solutions to drive positive change for the greater Middletown community.”

WIP was founded in the fall of 2024 and has expanded to a 45-person research team. We’re led by a board of undergraduate directors and an advisory committee of tenured faculty. Meet the team.

We work on a timeline of finalizing community partnerships and building research teams for each project at the start of September. Research will be conducted throughout the Fall until early Spring with weekly meetings taking place, and policy recommendations and materials will be formally presented to our partners in early May.

Who We Are

The Wesleyan Institute for Policy (WIP) is an undergraduate-run research organization located on campus at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.

The institute was established in 2024 by a group of Wesleyan students who believed that the university has a responsibility to work as a diligent community partner with the City of Middletown and the broader Connecticut community. They created WIP as a unique avenue for passionate student researchers to come together to tackle critical local challenges.

WIP aims to partner with local governments, nonprofits, and community-based organizations to advance equitable and sustainable solutions that align with the needs and priorities of the communities it serves.

  • The mission of the Wesleyan Institute for Policy (WIP) is to develop actionable, evidence-based policy recommendations by integrating social, economic, and urban analysis. Through partnerships with local and state-level stakeholders, WIP seeks to deliver informed solutions to drive positive change for the greater Middletown community.

  • The institute is structured around three “cores” through which policy issues are analyzed: social policy, economic policy, and urban policy. Each core is assigned a team of undergraduate researchers and a dedicated faculty advisor specializing in the relevant policy area.

    Through partnerships with local and state governments and organizations, WIP will host research initiatives, workshops, and guest speaker events, engaging and empowering Wesleyan students to make a tangible impact on their community.

  • WIP has received funding from the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship (PCSE) at Wesleyan University. As undergraduate research positions are unpaid, WIP does not require significant financial support. 

    WIP does not seek financial assistance from any organization outside of the University and does not receive funding from external partnerships.

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