From a startup incubator in the heart of Detroit to a school district in rural northern Michigan, the weeklong Michigan Road Scholars tour of the state energized 29 U-M faculty and staff with new perspectives and ideas for action.

Days and evenings packed with opportunities to listen to community leaders, business owners large and small, students, government officials and nonprofits showed tour participants a side of the state even Michigan natives hadn’t seen before.

Lorraine (Laurie) Buis, Ph.D.

Laurie Buis, assistant professor of family medicine and of information, found the trip invaluable in helping expand her research into informing policy. Her work focuses on the use of mobile technology for chronic disease self-management, especially in underserved populations.

“I’m kind of done having my research stop at publication,” Buis said. “Why am I doing this if I can’t effect change? I want to be a better communicator of my science to the public, and to policymakers. In order to do that I need to see different parts of the state through a different lens.”

“So many things have an impact on our health — for instance education and socioeconomic status. So, getting a better understanding of health issues statewide was important to me.”

John M Carethers , M.D.

The tour sparked an interest in community involvement for John Carethers, professor and chair of internal medicine and professor of human genetics, as he saw challenges he didn’t know existed and ways that organizations are finding to address them.

“I’ve seen that a passionate person can make a big difference in a community,” he said. “We’re a little insulated at the university, and I think we have to be more aware of not only the issues around the state but the power of a community to make a positive difference.”

Author: Terrence Kosdrosky

School for Environment and Sustainability Assistant Professor Tony Reames

Tony Reames, assistant professor of environment and sustainability, is no stranger to community-based research while he focuses his studies on energy justice.

But most of his collaborations have been in southeast Michigan, and that’s a big reason why he’s embarking on the 2018 Michigan Road Scholars Tour, which rolls out of Ann Arbor today.

“I’m working on a statewide research project so I really want to learn about the rest of the state when it comes to energy issues,” Reames said. “I want to see other parts of the state outside the southeastern portion so I can understand people’s perspectives on government policy and the environment.”

This year’s tour will visit Detroit, Midland, Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, Hessel, East Jordan, Traverse City, Grand Rapids and Lansing. The group will meet with large and small manufacturers, school districts, nonprofits, community organizations, Native American tribal leaders, city officials, economic development groups and state government. It also will visit the Sault Tribe Youth Facility and with the Kent County Human Trafficking Task Force.

Author: Terrence Kosdrosky

Jo-Anne Perkins, of Cascade Engineering in Grand Rapids, explains the manufacture of trash and recycling bins to the Road Scholars. (Photo by Dana Sitzler)

The 15th annual Michigan Road Scholars trek around Michigan ended on Friday, and the scholars agree it was a wise investment of time and resources. “The pace was exhausting, but well worth it,” said Bob Grese, professor of natural resources in the School of Natural Resources and Environment, and director of the Nichols Arboretum. “I appreciate this opportunity to see some of my students’ hometowns. Michigan is really remarkable. Every region is distinct from the others. This will help me appreciate the unique personalities and perspectives my students bring to the classroom.”

“Every year, our scholars identify potential community/academic collaborations in which their expertise can make a solid contribution to current and future initiatives,” said MRS coordinator Dana Sitzler. “It happened again this year, maybe even more than in previous years.”

Author: Dana Sitzler

Associate Director of State Outreach| [email protected] | 734-764-8029

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