Science, Technology, & Public Policy @ UMich

Court ruled against Detroit in surveillance tech case. It's still dangerous. | Opinion Detroiters filed suit after the city failed to follow its own ordinance governing surveillance tech like ShotSpotter.

A Michigan appeals court ruled that the city of Detroit failed to follow *its own laws* about public oversight of surveillance tech. These laws are crucial bc "Automated license plate readers, facial recognition, body-worn cameras, drones, and the Real Time Crime Center are all active in the city."

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the web... Announcing The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures, the fourth report from University of Michigan Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program's Technology Asses...

To learn more about The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures and social, political, and ethical implications of SMRs, join us for a webinar with the authors on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 12pm ET / 9am PT / 6pm CET. Register at myumi.ch/2rp9w.

The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures

We are thrilled to announce the publication of The Reactor Around the Corner: Understanding Advanced Nuclear Energy Futures, STPP's latest Technology Assessment Project report, in partnership with the University of Michigan's Fastest Path to Zero Initiative. myumi.ch/AdvancedNucl...

As universities are pushing students to use generative AI for all kinds of things, even going so far as to call it an “ethical responsibility,” I hope this will be a resource for people who supervise student workers and need to gently push back.

Why we do not use generative AI in STPP

STPP asks our research assistants & experiential learning students not to use generative AI in their work with us. We created a one-pager explaining why the pitfalls of GenAI tools make them ill-suited for the partnerships and policy analysis that we do. stpp.fordschool.umich.edu/research/com...

What Happens When Data Centers Come to Town?

Excellent explainer on data centers @stpp-um.bsky.social to help communities understand them, their challenges, and policy options to manage their risks. Written by Terry Nguyen BA '25 @umfordschool.bsky.social and @benzevgreen.bsky.social, in partnership w/ Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition.

What Happens When Data Centers Come to Town?

States and AI companies tout data centers as a boon for local economies, but what's the reality? This policy brief reviews the evidence: data centers are harmful for the environment and tax breaks are a bad deal for communities. @stpp-um.bsky.social
stpp.fordschool.umich.edu/research/pol...

Webinar: Making Technology Work For Everyone: Empowering Civil Society and Technologists to Work Together to Shape our Future Join STPP for a webinar about the importance of bringing together technical experts with civil society organizations to produce technology and technology policy that serves the public interest.

Join STPP for Making Technology Work For Everyone: Empowering Civil Society and Technologists to Work Together to Shape our Future, a webinar on 5/20 at 3:30pm about the importance of bringing together technical experts with civil society orgs. Register at stpp.fordschool.umich.edu/event/2025/w...

Broadening Horizons: How STEM-in-Society Programs Train Socially Responsible Scientists, Engineers, and Policy Leaders

Do you train students--including scientists and engineers--how to think about the ethical, social, political, and policy dimensions of their work? Check out @stpp-um.bsky.social's new report, which includes recommendations on how these programs can be cultivated. And come to our webinar on April 10!

Hello, Bluesky! We're excited to join the conversations here about science and technology policy, STS, innovation, and cats.