Marc Doussard

Marc Doussard is a Professor and Head of the Department of Urban & Regional Planning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His expertise lies at the intersection of political economy, urban politics, and public policy, with a focus on work, inequality, and strategies for addressing urban disparities. He holds a PhD in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago (2008), an MUPP (2002), and a BA in History from Columbia College (1997).

His research explores basic income policy, economic and racial justice coalitions, and urban policy entrepreneurship. Notable works include Justice at Work (2023) and Degraded Work (2013, winner of the 2015 Davidoff Award). Recent projects examine basic income trials, distributive populism, and the role of racial equity in progressive urban policies.

Teaching and advising span courses like Urban and Regional Analysis and Economic Development Policy. He has advised over 30 graduate students, including notable PhD graduates Steve Sherman and Ozge Yenigun. His work emphasizes grassroots strategies for equity and challenges to urban inequality through policy innovation.

Key publications reflect his interdisciplinary approach, analyzing topics such as labor rights, municipal budgeting, and the impact of community-labor alliances. Doussard’s research bridges theory and practice, advocating for transformative urban policies that address systemic inequities.