Fiscal Year
2025 Report
Morrison Institute: Arizona’s Pipeline to Policy Connecting research, stakeholders and data-driven insights to drive real change For more than 40 years, the Morrison Institute for Public Policy has served as a nonpartisan, trusted convener— a vital pipeline linking rigorous research, stakeholder voices and actionable insights directly to policymaking. Each year, Morrison Institute unites governments, businesses and communities to translate research into impactful solutions that build a resilient and thriving Arizona. This year, the Institute expanded its impact by pioneering new initiatives, strengthening partnerships and advancing solutions to Arizona’s most pressing challenges. By launching initiatives like Future Phoenix, Morrison Institute is turning insights into strategy—and strategy into tangible results across neighborhoods and regions.
“Our partnership with Morrison Institute amplifies ULI Arizona’s mission of building vibrant, sustainable communities. Their research expertise helps translate ideas into meaningful, lasting impact, so together, we can drive informed decision-making for Arizona’s future.” Deb Sydenham, Executive Director, ULI Arizona
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Impact
Future Phoenix: Advancing Community Solutions Greater Phoenix faces complex, interconnected challenges—from rising heat and water scarcity to air quality and competing priorities for land use. This year, Morrison Institute launched Future Phoenix, a cornerstone initiative bridging policymakers, researchers and community voices to develop integrated, community-driven solutions. By connecting data, expertise and perspectives, Future Phoenix is creating digital tools that empower decision-makers to foster a thriving metropolitan region now and into the future. With several discussion groups and roundtables held this year, momentum is building and community engagement is growing.
Read more: Building Future Phoenix
“ The primary work product is building human capacity for decision-making around complex system thinking around trade-offs.” Dave White, Associate Vice President Research Advancement, ASU
Driving Dialogue and Action on Arizona’s Top Policy Challenges Our convenings translate research into tangible impact. This year, two flagship events catalyzed conversations and policy solutions that matter.
Arizona Governance & Policy Academy Summer Policy Retreat Policymakers and thought leaders engaged in immersive sessions on Arizona’s education-to-career pipeline, bioscience innovation, wildfire risk reduction and energy resilience. Hands-on housing policy simulations encouraged real-world innovation and civic leadership. Explore highlights: Arizona Policy Academy
Housing & Water Policy Summit Over 200 leaders from government, business and the community explored housing affordability and water security. Morrison Institute experts provided research and insights to inform actionable solutions that shape statewide policy.
Read more: Arizona’s Growing Housing Crisis
Catalyzing Impact Through ARCHES and the Kyl Center for Water Policy
Engagement and Reach
ARCHES
From statewide convenings to national media coverage, our reach this year reflects a simple truth: informed decision-making drives real progress. Every number represents a connection made, a conversation started and a community better informed.
The Arizona Research Center for Housing and Economic Solutions (ARCHES) advanced statewide understanding of Arizona’s housing landscape through rigorous research, culminating in the publication of the 2025 State of Housing in Arizona report. Among other findings, the report revealed rapid erosion of Arizona’s affordability—directly informing policy and advocacy.
Kyl Center for Water Policy The Kyl Center for Water Policy shared important insight into Tribal water rights settlements, Colorado River challenges, and local groundwater management initiatives through several publications this year. A new AI-generated podcast also translated the technical Tap Water Affordability study findings for a broader public.
Learn more: State of Housing in Arizona report
View all: Kyl Center publications
media mentions radio, television, print, news blogs and journals
60+ event participation
AUGUST 2025
State of Housing in Arizona
1,000+
Tap Water Affordability in Arizona
expert presentations and panel moderation by Morrison team
5,600+ event attendees broad audiences engaged with our research in the community
16,000+ website users reports, data tools and resources
February 2025
Listen to the: 2025 State of Housing in Arizona report podcast
Listen to the: Tap Water Affordability report podcast
20+ strategic collaborations research-inspired partnerships
“ Collaboration with the Kyl Center for Water Policy has enhanced WIFA’s ability to reach and serve water users across the State, transforming uncertainty into actionable solutions for Arizona’s most pressing water challenges.” Chelsea McGuire, Director, Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA)
Advancing Solutions Through Collaboration Partnership-driven research turns theory into measurable change. Morrison Institute works alongside government, community and industry partners to move ideas into action. Here are a few of the key collaborations that helped drive impact this year. Pilgrim Rest Community Hub Evaluation: Collaborating with the Arizona Department of Child Safety to support families and reduce the disproportionate number of Black and African American child removals. Arizona Department of Health Services Home Visitor Workforce Study: Strengthening recruitment, retention and support for professionals who provide in-home services to families across Arizona. Terner Labs Partnership: Building housing supply simulators across Arizona to inform data-driven policy solutions. Federal Home Loan Bank San Francisco Research: Measuring economic and long-term impacts of affordable housing investments to guide future policy. Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (AZ WIFA): Evaluating AZ WIFA-funded water conservation projects through the Kyl Center.
Looking Ahead As Arizona faces increasingly complex challenges, rigorous research and shared understanding will remain our most powerful tools for change. Together, we are transforming insight into impact—and building a more resilient, equitable and thriving Arizona for generations to come. Our approach is simple yet powerful:
Research
Inform
Convene
Thrive
Rigorous, independent study of big issues
High-quality analysis to shape policy action
Stakeholder engagement around policy choices
Arizona prospers with data-informed decisions
Looking ahead, we will deepen partnerships, expand engagement and continue turning knowledge into action— because informed decisions create stronger communities. Get Involved: Stay connected. Share your ideas. Email us at: morrisoninstitute@asu.edu
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