A Conversation with NLC Menino Fellow Adam Bieda
2018 – 2019 NLC Menino Fellow Adam Bieda
From September 2018: The Initiative on Cities is pleased to announce Adam Bieda (Boston University Class of 2019) as our 2018 – 2019 National League of Cities (NLC) Menino Fellow. Adam is a graduating senior pursuing a double major in English and Economics. Through this Fellowship, Adam will spend the fall semester paired with a faculty member in an on-campus Directed Study program. He will spend the 2019 spring semester in Boston University’s Washington, D.C. study abroad program, where he will take classes and participate in a paid internship in the National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education, and Families.
How did you get involved with the Initiative on Cities?
Last year, I was looking for undergraduate fellowship opportunities. The Initiative on Cities (IOC) had public policy programs and was based in Boston. I looked it up, and it was the best opportunity. Patricia Cahill, who was the IOC Program Manager and Administrator, introduced me to the Menino Fellowship. I then did more research on the Initiative by visiting their Twitter and research pages and identifying which professors collaborated with the IOC. BU doesn’t have many research opportunities focused on urban policy, so the fact that the IOC offered opportunities focused on local public policy programs really drew me in!
What has your experience been like participating in a fellowship program that differs between semesters?
Last semester, I gained first-hand research experience with Professor Wilson, co-supervised by Professor Margo. This experience was something I had never had before. The directed study was a four-credit class, but had more frequent meetings than typical fellowships. Professor Margo and Professor Wilson were very helpful in articulating certain points, determining which research worked best, and analyzing the quality of these research sources. During the semester, I often found myself asking whether this might not be the right question to ask and whether this information was not the best for my research. I was taking a step, learning from it, and moving on. After the fall semester, the IOC flew me out to Los Angeles to attend NLC’s City Summit and to meet my current manager.
What research or project are you currently working on?
One of my projects included coordinating a roundtable discussion for research and philanthropies for youth councils across the US, and part of that project led me to take a deeper role in organizing a resource for local youth councils across the US. Another project I worked on was coordinating the launch of a survey for members in our reengagement network. This network helps young people reenter society in sustainable and equitable ways. The NLC also has a peer network in which 22 cities can share data on reengagement strategies. To summarize, the projects I work on focus on three main initiatives: research, which is where a large part of the work is in; technical assistance, which involves government consulting; and federal advocacy, which includes lobbying, interacting with local governments, the federal advocacy team, and leaders from state municipal leagues.
Another initiative the NLC is involved in is partnering with state municipal leagues. They were joining us on the Hill and were advocating for infrastructure spending in cities. My assignment for class was to attend any lobby hearing. While I was there, I had a conversation with the councilmember for the City of Poulsbo, WA. He wondered whether there were trends in the data over the last 20 years related to federal intergovernmental transfers to local governments. My research project from last semester tracked exactly that. I mentioned that I could provide him with data visuals and reports, and I was able to send my research to him. This fellowship really gives you the opportunity to develop your own projects.
In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing cities and/or city-level programs that directly impact children, youth, and families?
I had the opportunity to sit with Mayor Paul Soglin from Madison, Wisconsin. He focuses on issues such as the opioid crisis and juvenile justice reform. The opioid crisis is crippling and a huge public health issue.
In public finance, 16 states are suing President Trump over the National Emergency Declaration. Additionally, the role of infrastructure and the relationship between federal and local governments are major public financing issues. Maintaining our current infrastructure system will become increasingly costly as it becomes more outdated. These are the major intersectional issues facing legacy cities, but current government institutions continue to cripple local government agencies.
From an undergraduate’s perspective, what’s the best way for young college students to engage with their city or engage with current activist movements that deal with these urban-related issues?
Take advantage of resources like the Initiative on Cities, which offers research opportunities that put you next to professional researchers in the field. The IOC provides monthly workshops to learn more about city issues and local events. The second thing I would recommend is to engage with politicians and state workers. That could mean attending incubator events at Innovate@BU or participating in idea competitions focused on public affairs. The third thing is to go out with the population and engage. What I found in my personal experience is that you can walk into a seminar and people will say this issue is really pressing, but not many people will actually interact with the populations they are trying to help. If you are in a city, you have first-hand exposure to the issue, so go in and interact. You need to establish a foundational relationship before enacting a successful program or policy. Therefore, the way students and universities can become more engaged is through research and by engaging with city and state workers and the general population.
What is your favorite city?
Chicago. I was raised in the Chicago suburbs. When my sister moved to downtown Chicago, I finally had the opportunity to experience Chicago for what it is. Although it’s a random Midwestern city, it was like an entire universe opened to me. Washington, D.C., has also moved up my list. In terms of the fellowship, I’ve had greater access to and connections with the educational community here in D.C. than in Boston.
Anything else you would like to add?
When I first applied for the fellowship, it was not well-known. I want to highlight that BU students are missing out on great research opportunities. This research experience is hands-on, intensive, and you’re placed with staff who want to see you succeed.
This interview has been edited and condensed.