Institute for Civics and Public Policy | Ohio Northern University

Mission

The Institute for Civics and Public Policy (ICAPP) at Ohio Northern University is a non-partisan, education based community of scholars dedicated to conducting high-quality research to support civic literacy and an informed understanding of public policies with a focus on those issues affecting citizens in the Industrial Midwest.

Fall leaves decorate the campus of Ohio Northern University.

Polling and Research

The Northern Poll and the Great Lakes Poll (a collaboration between Ohio Northern, Baldwin Wallace and Oakland University) gauge the perceptions of Midwesterners timely issues and concerns in the political and public policy spheres. Results from these polls are widely reported by regional and national media. In addition, many of our professors and students engage in academic research that advances our knowledge on important public policy topics.

Student studies with peers in the library.

“I have a huge interest in public opinion polling, so being able to actually work on a poll was incredible. It made me appreciate how much has to be thought through and refined. Learning the level of care required also highlighted how other public opinion polls fall short.”

Seth Ferguson, BA '19, graduate student at the John Glenn School at the Ohio State University

Northern Poll: Perceptions Matter

What do Ohioans and other Midwestern citizens think about the political and public policy topics of the day? ONU students find out through opinion polling.

Northern Poll: Solely operated by ONU students, the Northern Poll conducts high quality opinion polling throughout Ohio. Students learn about the polling process, how to draft and organize questions, and how to review and report results. Northern Poll surveys are widely reported in the media.

Great Lakes Poll: A joint venture between Ohio Northern, Baldwin Wallace, and Oakland University, the Great Lakes Poll engages in extensive polling of citizens in key Midwest swing states throughout the 2020 Presidential election season. By pooling the resources of three universities, the Great Lakes Poll produces high-quality, in-depth data to inform citizens, politicians and the national media.

Read about the latest in polling

In the News

From op-eds in national publications to radio spots on local stations, ONU professors and students are making the news for their expertise and research on issues at the forefront of public concern. Check out our recent media coverage!

Advancing Knowledge on Vital Issues

ONU professors and students are advancing our knowledge of important public policy issues through rigorous academic research and the development of policy papers. The ICAPP’s important work in this area helps to inform the decision-making that impacts citizens in the Midwest. The scholars of ICAAP are recognized leaders in their field and their expertise covers a wide-range of subjects. ONU students have the opportunity to work alongside ICAAP scholars, benefiting from their expansive knowledge, mentoring, and networking connections.

Keith F. Durkin, Ph.D, professor of sociology. Areas of expertise: opioid crisis; substance abuse; juvenile and drug courts; internet sex crimes.

Katy Rossiter, Ph.D., assistant professor of geography. Areas of expertise: congressional redistricting; U.S. Census; GIS mapping.

Shane Tilton, Ph.D., assistant professor of multimedia journalism. Areas of expertise: video games; digital divide; new media; celebrities; journalism.

David Strittmatter, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor of public history/museum studies. Areas of expertise: commemoration and memorials; historic preservation; heritage tourism; material culture; sports venues; World Wars I & II.

Robert Alexander, Ph.D., professor of political science and director of ICAPP. Areas of expertise: presidential elections, electoral college.

Dr. Keith F. Durkin is a nationally-known expert in criminal justice. In recent years, he’s conducted groundbreaking research on the opioid crisis, exploring the relationship between emotional problems/mental health and drug use in juveniles and heroin abuse in adults. Currently, he’s researching the root causes of the opioid crisis, seeking to uncover factors that drove young adults in rural areas to begin abusing prescription painkillers. Dr. Durkin is also an expert in deviant behavior and internet sex predators. He’s been called upon to consult in criminal cases involving child predators and the national media frequently quotes him on the subject matter. Dr. Durkin’s collaboration with the juvenile courts in Hardin and Paulding (Ohio) counties provides ONU students with opportunities to work with unique data sets, intern in the courts, and observe and assist with an innovative rehabilitation program for juvenile offenders. Dr. Durkin has published and presented extensively and is currently serving as vice president of the Ohio Council of Criminal Justice Education and editor-in-chief of Criminal Justice Perspectives Journal.
Dr. Katy Rossiter is a respected geographer, consultant, and professor. Her expertise spans congressional redistricting, the U.S. Census, and the use of GIS mapping to gather, manage and analyze data. In states across the U.S., the two major political parties have clashed over the issue of gerrymandering, with several cases working their way through the courts. Dr. Rossiter’s recent research has explored how congressional boundaries are drawn, looking at fairness and the adherence to the criteria and rules that drive the redistricting process. Having worked as a geographer for 11 years for the U.S. Census Bureau, Dr. Rossiter also possesses insight and expertise in the gathering and use of U.S. Census data. In addition, her skills and knowledge in GIS mapping have led to her collaborating on research studies in a variety of fields, including biology and meteorology. She’s recently participated in projects exploring the phosphorus run-off in Lake Erie, the housing market in Findlay, Ohio, the non-native sport fish in a Western Ohio river, and the northern hemisphere circumpolar vortex. She’s published extensively, frequently presents at regional and national academic conferences, and often lends expert media commentary to local, regional and national news stories.
Dr. Shane Tilton is a prolific researcher and presenter whose interests span a variety of modern-day topics including the psychology and social influence of video games; the emergence and use of new media; the social impact of journalism; and “nanocelebrities,” otherwise known as Internet influencers. His recent work includes a book chapter that analyzes Anthony Bourdain’s work as a journalist who used food culture to explain world events and research exploring the psychological effects of the music used in the video game “Legends of Zelda.” In addition, he’s working on a book for novice journalists on writing for new media platforms. Dr. Tilton has given more than 40 presentations at conferences and public forums. He is the current director of the Center of Society and Cyberstudies – an international think tank that explores the impact of the Internet on society. He was named the 2018 Young Stationers’ Prize winner from the Young Stationers and the 2015 Outstanding New Advisor from the Society for Collegiate Journalists.
Dr. David Strittmatter is an innovative educator and researcher. His research explores the interpretation of history in the present day, with a focus on the development of heritage sites and the public memory of the events that occurred at these locations. He’s examined the intersection of commemoration, preservation, tourism and urban planning for battlefields, political sites, and world’s fairgrounds in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom. At ONU, he engages his students in projects that bring history to life. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the shootings at Kent State during the Vietnam War, Dr. Strittmatter and his students are currently working on an oral history project to track down and interview the Ohio Army National Guardsmen who witnessed the events. In addition, his ONU students have recently worked on a commemoration of the 1913 Hill Building fire at ONU and a campus audio tour of Martin Luther King’s famous visit to ONU. Dr. Strittmatter is a frequent presenter at conferences and a published researcher.
Robert Alexander is an award-winning teacher and scholar. His pioneering work on presidential electors has positioned him as an expert on the Electoral College. He has published four books and his work has appeared in numerous academic journals. His most recent book, Representation and the Electoral College (Oxford University Press, 2019) has been named one of the "100 best elections books of all time" by Book Authority. He has written opinion pieces for CNN.com, USA Today, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Columbus Dispatch, and the Toledo Blade. Dr. Alexander also serves on the National Executive Committee for Pi Sigma Alpha (political science honor society) and on the National Liaison Advisory Board for The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. Professor Alexander is a frequent media contributor, having appeared in hundreds of print, radio, and television outlets including the Associated Press, CNN.com, NPR, the New York Times, BBC, Christian Science Monitor, and is a regular analyst for CTV-Canada.

Incredible Opportunities Await

When opportunities come your way--go for it! At ONU, you’ll discover lots of opportunities to participate in the real world of government and politics as an undergraduate. From studying and interning in the nation’s capital to competing in Model UN, from developing public opinion polls to presenting research findings at a national conference, you can build an impressive resume.

Cassie Krencisz

ONU fostered her love of politics and opened pathways to high-impact learning opportunities like polling, writing opinion pieces and attending national debates

Seth Ferguson

ONU not only prepared him by providing not only a first-rate education in political science, but also the high-impact learning opportunities to complement it

Derek Price

From conducting political research to teaching in a foreign country, this alumnus has always aimed high, and his post-graduate pursuits are no exception

Support our mission

The ICAPP weaves together ONU faculty expertise with student learning and projects through outside governmental, non-profit, business, and media organizations. If you are interested in supporting our mission through funding, grants, internships, job shadowing opportunities, special projects, or by being a guest lecturer, please contact Robert Alexander, ICAPP director.

Contact the ICAPP Director

Prepare for your ideal career

Want to tackle the crucial issues of our times? Choose a career path in civics or public policy. You could help to shape the politics and policies around healthcare, education, climate change, criminal justice, local governance, international relations and much more! Ohio Northern offers several degree programs (both majors and minors) for students interested in careers in the public sphere.

Mission

Northern Poll: Perceptions Matter

In the News

Advancing Knowledge on Vital Issues

Keith F. Durkin, professor of sociology

Kalyn “Katy” Rossiter, assistant professor of geography

Shane Tilton, assistant professor of multimedia journalism

David Strittmatter, visiting assistant professor of public history and museum studies

Robert Alexander, Ph.D., professor of political science and director of ICAPP