Research and Evidence-Based Guidance
- Energy and Environment: In 2022, the National Energy Policy Institute (NEPI) at TU released a report focusing on the role of renewable energy in Oklahoma’s economic future. This research was used by state lawmakers to inform policy decisions related to energy diversification and environmental sustainability, particularly as Oklahoma aims to balance fossil fuel production with the growth of wind and solar energy.
- Cybersecurity: In 2023, TU’s Institute for Information Security (iSec) partnered with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide research on safeguarding critical infrastructure against cyberattacks. TU researchers contributed to federal discussions on bolstering cybersecurity for energy grids, financial systems, and government databases. This work informed DHS’s policy initiatives on cyber defense in 2023-2024.
Policy Papers and Reports
- In 2023, faculty from TU’s College of Law collaborated with state officials to produce a comprehensive legal analysis on water rights and resource management in Oklahoma. This report was presented to the Oklahoma State Legislature and influenced ongoing debates regarding water allocation between urban and rural areas, particularly in the context of drought and climate change resilience.
- Also in 2023, a research team from TU’s College of Engineering and Natural Sciences published a policy paper on the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”), offering guidelines for mitigating groundwater contamination. This paper was submitted to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and has informed regulatory updates on fracking practices.
Participation in Government Committees and Advisory Boards
- In 2022, a TU professor of environmental law was appointed to a special Oklahoma Environmental Policy Task Force. This group was tasked with advising the state government on environmental regulations and climate mitigation strategies. The task force’s recommendations, delivered in 2023, influenced state policies on carbon emissions and green infrastructure development.
- TU’s experts in cybersecurity participated in a Congressional Advisory Committee in 2024, offering input on new federal regulations aimed at securing telecommunications infrastructure and ensuring data privacy.
Consultation and Collaborations with Government Agencies
- In 2023, TU began working closely with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to advise on policies aimed at attracting high-tech industries, particularly in the fields of energy technology and cybersecurity. This collaboration resulted in a strategic framework that guided state economic development programs in 2024.
- In 2022, TU was invited by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to provide expertise on transitioning Oklahoma’s energy sector to include more renewable energy sources. TU’s faculty helped craft policy recommendations that were incorporated into federal funding programs supporting energy efficiency initiatives in the state.
Legal and Policy Clinics
- In 2022, TU’s Public Policy Law Clinic played a key role in providing legal support for local governments addressing homelessness in Tulsa. The clinic offered policy guidance to the city government, which led to new housing initiatives and social service programs enacted in 2023.
- In 2024, the Sustainable Energy and Resources Law Program provided legal expertise to a coalition of state governments in the Southwest, advising them on how to craft multistate agreements for managing water resources in light of ongoing drought conditions. These legal frameworks will inform interstate water-sharing agreements set to be negotiated in 2024.
Community and Public Forums
- The Oklahoma Center for the Humanities at TU hosted a 2023 symposium titled “Democracy in Crisis,” which brought together local, state, and national leaders to discuss issues related to electoral reform, voting rights, and public trust in government. The event generated media coverage and informed local legislative discussions on election security.
- In 2024, TU organized a public forum on “Technology and Privacy,” in collaboration with the City of Tulsa, where experts provided insights into data privacy and AI regulation, sparking a series of legislative proposals aimed at protecting consumer data in Oklahoma.
Internships and Fellowship Programs
- In 2023, TU’s College of Law expanded its Public Service Internship Program, placing students in Oklahoma’s state legislature to work directly on legal and policy research related to criminal justice reform. This experience provided real-time contributions to the legislative drafting process.
- In 2024, TU’s Cyber Fellows Program partnered with federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, to allow students and faculty to apply their expertise in cybersecurity to real-world defense projects. This collaboration has led to policy recommendations for enhancing national cyber resilience.
Strategic Partnerships with Local and Regional Government
- In 2022, TU partnered with the City of Tulsa to launch a pilot program on urban resilience, which provided policy advice on improving infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events. The program’s findings, published in 2023, influenced local government decisions on flood management and emergency preparedness.
- In 2023, TU worked with the State of Oklahoma on a public health initiative aimed at addressing rural healthcare disparities. The university provided expert guidance on policies that led to the expansion of telemedicine services across rural areas in Oklahoma, with recommendations implemented by the state government in 2024.
These examples illustrate TU’s ongoing and impactful engagement with various levels of government, contributing expertise in areas of cybersecurity, energy, public health, law, and urban development.