Exploring leadership and opportunity in Washington, D.C.: My journey with the Washington Leadership Program

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A woman in a green shirt stands in front of the U.S. Capitol. — O’Neill’s Chandler Jessup spent the fall 2024 semester living and interning in Washington, D.C.

Written by: Chandler Jessup
Management & Civic Leadership major

When I began my semester with the Washington Leadership Program, I knew it would be transformative, but I underestimated just how much it would expand my worldview and strengthen my aspirations in public service. Balancing my role as the events and communications intern at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) with coursework and networking opportunities was no small feat, but it’s been one of the most rewarding chapters of my academic journey thus far through the O’Neill School and Indiana University.

At ASPI, I contributed to events that bridged critical conversations in international policy, such as the U.S. Futures Roundtable, the FourSight Workshop co-hosted with Observer Research Foundation (ORF) America, and the Women and Space event in collaboration with the Australian Women in D.C. (AWDC) Forum. These experiences showcased the dynamic nature of policy discussions, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation across borders. One particularly memorable moment was participating in “Choir Practice” at the Australian Embassy, where members of the Australian Federal Police shared insights into their unique approaches to international security.

The Washington Leadership Program isn’t just about internships; it’s also about immersing yourself in the heartbeat of American democracy. Our cohort met with staff from Representatives Erin Houchin and André Carson’s offices, as well as staff from Senator Todd Young’s office and The White House, toured TSA headquarters and the DOJ, and discussed the intricate work of the Government Accountability Office. These interactions allowed me to see the multifaceted roles individuals play in shaping policy and governance.

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Dumortier’s work cited in 2025 Economic Report of the President

Posted on January 27, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A man in a gray suit jacket and purple button-up shirt stands in a hallway smiling. — O’Neill Professor Jerome Dumortier

Just 10 days before the presidential transition, O’Neill Professor Jerome Dumortier’s work on climate change and the role of agricultural carbon removal was included in the 2025 Economic Report of the President.

The report focused on economic trends, action that had been taken to advance economic policies, and future pathways to move forward the nation’s economic goals. That included a plan for the United States to become a net-zero greenhouse gas economy by 2050.

“Being included in the Economic Report of the President meant our work and the issue itself had the attention of—and, more importantly, credibility at—the highest levels of government,” Dumortier says.

He was one of several co-authors on the 2023 Roads to Removal report, which focused on how different regions of the nation could help achieve that 2050 goal.

“The assessment of the carbon removal potential at the national scale was a significant effort from many scientists and institutions nationwide,” Dumortier says.

Roads to Removal authors provided analysis on potential solutions and cost, including crop rotation, geological storage, forest management, and many more. It sparked conferences across the country, including at IU Indianapolis in October 2024.

Just three months later, the data and analysis provided within Roads to Removal were highlighted in Chapter 5 of the presidential report. That portion discussed policies to incentivize actions and weighed the use of negative emissions technologies (NETs) to capture and store atmospheric carbon.

Dumortier says that while past reports have touched on threats of adverse weather and the transition toward renewable energy, he hopes the inclusion of their work on carbon sequestration will serve as a foundation for future solutions.

“The section on carbon removal underscores the relevance of the topic from a national economic policy perspective,” Dumortier explains. “Seeing the Roads to Removal report cited at that level was a testament to the attention this issue warrants, given the likely very costly damage from climate change, if left unchecked.”

Understanding social inequities, climate change, and the impact on farmers in India

Posted on January 21, 2025 by Leslie Wells

An older man sits in a farming field in India while water pours out of tube next to him. — A new research project will focus on whether a farmer’s ability to adopt and sustain the use of climate-smart technology and practices may be impacted by their place within the broader society.

Extreme weather can reduce the global water supply, disrupt food production, and impact crop quality. To cope with these climate changes, farmers worldwide are adapting their practices and technologies.

But that process isn’t always equitable, especially for farmers who belong to marginalized social groups.

“Climate change has a huge potential to widen social rifts in rural communities,” says O’Neill Assistant Professor Nathan Cook. “The already advantaged people can weather climate change more effectively, while the most marginalized people are often left behind.”

Cook is part of a team of researchers who want to know the impact of shifting toward climate-smart agricultural technology and practices—using solar panels, alternating cover crops, using a groundwater pump, and other changes—has on rural farmers in India.

“In India, more than 100 million people work in small-scale agriculture,” he explains. “That style of agriculture is very sensitive to the impacts of climate change, especially issues like unreliable or decreased water availability.”

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Student researchers share how Indiana could alleviate homelessness, food insecurity

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Leslie Wells

A woman's hand points at sticky notes on a wall that are titled with various housing-related words. — Student research at the IU Public Policy Institute work on a wide range of issues, including homelessness and housing.

By Nikki Livingston
Click here to read the full story

The O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs provides opportunities for students from across Indiana University Indianapolis to gain real-world experience while making a difference. One of those experiences involves working as student research assistants at the IU Public Policy Institute where students help improve the lives of individuals and provide analysis on public policy issues.

PPI conducts data-driven applied research and analysis, and provides guidance that is objective, insightful, and nonpartisan. Student research assistants help with that work by supporting research projects throughout the academic year.

The most recent student-authored policy briefs were part of PPI’s Decision 2024 campaign. The topics of the student briefs were determined by recent proposals in the Indiana General Assembly and shared insights on how to tackle homelessness, address food insecurity, and identify the barriers to student success for LGBTQ+ youth.

“Allowing student researchers to pursue their own areas of interest provides a great opportunity for them to expand their skillsets, learn new ones or possibly further their research interest,” PPI Program Analyst Elizabeth Thuranira said. Thuranira and others at PPI helped oversee the student projects.

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IU Executive Education: Keys to building a trust-based culture and a culture of psychological safety

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Leslie Wells

A woman stands at the front of a conference room writing on a white board while attendees sit at a table watching her lead the class. — IU Executive Education’s IHA Management Institute provides training for leaders in healthcare.

Written by: Sara Johnson, FACHE
Interim Director, IU Executive Education
Director, Indiana Hospital Association Management Institute

Psychological safety has been defined by Great Places to Work as “a shared belief that team members feel safe to take risks, share ideas, and make mistakes without fear of negative consequences.” To create psychological safety in your team and organization, you must begin with building trust. At IU Executive Education, we focus on teaching people how to strengthen their own leadership and enhance their organization’s effectiveness.

As a leader, that journey starts by addressing the culture within your own team and using intentional strategies to build trust and create a culture of psychological safety.

Building trust as a new manager

As a new manager, establishing trust within your team is essential for effective leadership. Here are three key strategies to help you foster a trusting environment:

Embrace transparency: Share information openly with your team. Be honest about what you know and what you don’t. This clarity helps to eliminate uncertainty and builds confidence among your staff, allowing them to feel informed and included.
Be reliable: Consistency is vital in leadership. Ensure your messaging and treatment of others—whether colleagues or external partners—are steady and dependable. When your team knows they can rely on you, it reinforces their trust in your leadership.
Stay authentic: Authenticity is crucial in building genuine connections. Be yourself and avoid trying to fit a mold. If you act differently with different groups, your team will sense the inconsistency, which can undermine their trust. Show them your true self to cultivate a deeper sense of trust and respect.

By focusing on transparency, reliability, and authenticity, you not only enhance trust within your team but also model these behaviors for them to adopt as they grow in their careers. Building a culture of psychological safety and trust will empower your team to thrive, ultimately leading to better service to your stakeholders and more organizational success.

As you journey throughout your career, keep in mind that as leaders, someone is always watching how you lead, and they learn from you. Build that trust-based culture and you not only see the results now, but you will see the results in those who learn from you and how they lead into the future.