David Thacher

David Thacher serves as an Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning with a joint appointment in Public Policy at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. His research examines how empirical evidence clarifies public policy values, with specific focus on housing policy, criminal justice (including critiques of "broken windows" policing), and public management.

Education:

• PhD in Public Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Master of Urban Planning, University of Michigan

Thacher's research has been featured in prominent outlets including PBS Frontline and The Marshall Project, where he analyzed flaws in "broken windows" policing strategies. He has moderated panels on police reforms such as the Cincinnati Police Reforms discussion and represented Taubman College at the Association of College Schools of Planning Conference. His teaching portfolio includes graduate courses on epistemology for planning research (URP 701) and crime/community development (URP 534).