Expertise

Public Policy, Policy Analysis

Biography

Dr. Michael Norton serves as Chief Policy Analyst at Reinvestment Fund, a mission-driven financial institution that brings financial and analytical tools to partnership that work to ensure that everyone has access to essential opportunities: affordable places to live, access to nutritious food and health care, schools where their children can flourish, and strong, local business that support jobs. Between 2015 and 2021 Dr. Norton led two exploratory studies in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services to examine the diverse ways the nations libraries and museums support and enhance the quality of life in their communities (Strengthening Networks, Sparking Change: Museums and Libraries as Community Catalysts).

In addition to his work with libraries and museums, Dr. Norton has led a diverse range of studies examining real estate and mortgage markets in cities across the country; access to healthy food and high-quality childcare; educational reform initiatives at the school, district, and state levels; and he currently serves at co-principal investigator of a guaranteed income study among TANF beneficiaries in Philadelphia. He also teaches at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. As a trained sociologist his orientation to research is grounded in a commitment to the importance of place and understanding how ‘where you live’ informs the interpersonal and institutional connections that make our lives what they are.   

Courses Taught

• PLCY 8119 Policy Analysis