Barry Bluestone, the Stearns Trustee Professor of Political Economy, believes academics should get more deeply involved in the world around them.

He made his case for linking public policy with university-based research in March, when he delivered the 2005 Robert D. Klein Lecture at Raytheon Amphitheater. Bluestone practices what he preaches—he directs the Center for Urban and Regional Policy (CURP), which he calls a "think and do tank."

Last year, Bluestone helped craft and pass legislation aimed at answering the need for affordable housing in the Boston area. CURP research had shown that zoning restrictions, primarily in the suburbs, are holding up the development of moderately priced housing. Bluestone testified before the state legislature in behalf of a bill that offers towns incentives to support affordable housing; the bill was passed last year.

In his Klein lecture, Bluestone also described how CURP is helping older cities figure out how to make themselves more attractive to redevelopment and job growth. For instance, CURP offers cities computerized assessment tools for redevelopment, helps them develop their websites, and offers training seminars for economic officials.

"There are some who believe academics should be detached from the community," Bluestone said. "My argument is that we can use our brain power to help solve social problems."

• E Line Story Index

  Barry Bluestone