White Papers

Download of the following white papers is available for free. Please cite the white papers if you use them for your work.

Camburn, S., English, K., Monette, O., Nosovskiy, D., Scofield, E., Lucas, A., Mitra, R., & Upshaw, M. (2021). COVID-19 and BIPOC entrepreneurs’ resilience in Metro Detroit.

This White Paper highlights the struggles that Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs faced during the so-called “First Phase” of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan (approximately March-July, 2020) and how some of them have been able to bounce back. We first describe the key problems faced by BIPOC entrepreneurs in Metro Detroit. Next, we highlight the strategies they utilized to remain resilient during this time of crisis. Finally, we present recommendations for policymakers and entrepreneurial support organizations for ongoing support to BIPOC entrepreneurs, as they continue to endure and attempt to recover from this unprecedented crisis. Download white paper HERE.

Rodriguez-Bontemps, S., Chapman, S., & Mitra, R. (2020). Michigan and Detroit’s public communication on water shutoffs amid COVID-19: January-July, 2020.

The White Paper presents our findings in three chapters: 1) how state and city authorities framed water affordability and the Detroit water shutoffs during the “first wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, 2) the discursive logics that seemed to guide authorities’ decision-making to restore water connections in response to the pandemic, and 3) a summary of the communication tone, content and terminology used by authorities during this time. We close the White Paper with five recommendations for authorities that are key to ensuring long-term sustainability and protection from future public health disasters that may be exacerbated by lack of access to clean and affordable water. Download white paper HERE.

Tong, S.T., Stoycheff, E., & Mitra, R. (2020). Online harassment against Asian Americans during COVID-19.

The origination of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China has led to growing xenophobia in the United States, with many Americans blaming China, and Asians more generally, for “allowing” the coronavirus to “escape” into a worldwide pandemic. The study featured in this white paper explored Americans’ awareness and perceptions of increasing anti-Asian attitudes during COVID-19. Additionally, we examined if enactment of resilience strategies in response to the recent upsurge in online harassment of Asians on social media influenced people’s self-reported mental health during the pandemic. Download white paper HERE.