Lara Rusch

Lara Rusch is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, directing the Community Change Studies program and WILL+ initiatives within the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (2008). Her work bridges academic research with community engagement, focusing on urban governance, poverty criminalization, and anti-poverty strategies. Rusch teaches courses including Urban Politics, Social Welfare Policy, and Community Organizing, emphasizing practical applications in public administration and regional development.

Her research explores how marginalized communities navigate systemic challenges through organizing and policy advocacy. Notable studies include analyses of Detroit’s regional governance strategies, trade-offs in grassroots empowerment, and representation of homeless populations in legal frameworks. She integrates deliberative democracy principles with hands-on organizing tactics, often collaborating with faith-based and civic organizations.

Rusch has advised no explicitly listed students but has contributed to academic programs like the Master of Public Administration. Her work appears in journals such as Urban Affairs Review, City and Community, and Law & Social Inquiry, reflecting interdisciplinary engagement with urban studies, social welfare, and community practice.