Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service

General information

WIPPS’ work is responsive and collaborative. We bring non-partisan approaches, tools, and resources to help state and local governments, businesses, non-profit organizations, and citizens address and solve real problems.

WIPPS adheres closely to the Wisconsin Idea by connecting the resources of the public university to issues relevant to the citizens of Wisconsin.

WIPPS sponsors and organizes statewide conferences, including recent conferences on: overcoming poverty; understanding globalization for Wisconsin business; developing sustainable communities; assessing the ethics of stem cell research; addressing the origins of domestic violence; and rethinking the civic mission of the public university.

WIPPS fosters non-partisan civic dialogue, deliberation, and healthy debate on complex issues. We partner with libraries, universities, schools, government entities, and other organizations to host public dialogues on topics ranging from the future of health care in America, to the challenges of immigration, to the national debt.

WIPPS provides opportunities for college students to engage in collaborative research, participate in internships, enage in meaningful service to their commnities, and gain valuable leadership skills.

WIPPS encourages public scholarship and research to address needs in our state and communities. We sponsor faculty and student fellowships and assist with grant-writing to encourage interdisciplinary research that can be translated into real world action.