Resilience Justice Project

The Resilience Justice Project at the Brandeis School of Law engages students in hands-on legal and policy work addressing complex challenges facing communities across the country. Led by Professor Tony Arnold, the project examines how law and governance influence environmental resilience, housing stability, and community well-being.

Through interdisciplinary research and collaboration with community organizations, government leaders, and policy partners, students help develop solutions to real-world legal and policy challenges. The project functions similarly to what some law schools call a policy clinic, combining academic study with practical engagement on emerging issues affecting communities.

Experiential Learning Through Policy Engagement

Students participating in the Resilience Justice Project work directly with Professor Arnold and project partners on active research and policy initiatives. These experiences allow students to apply legal training to real-world problems while developing skills in legal research, policy analysis, and collaborative problem-solving.

Students receive academic credit for their participation and gain experience working on projects that influence public policy and community development.

The project provides opportunities for students to:

• Conduct legal and policy research on emerging public policy issues
• Collaborate with community organizations and government partners
• Contribute to reports, policy recommendations, and public-facing materials
• Engage with interdisciplinary perspectives on law, governance, and resilience

Areas of Focus

The Resilience Justice Project explores how legal systems shape resilience, equity, and community well-being. Research and policy work often focuses on issues such as:

• Environmental resilience and climate adaptation
• Housing stability and community development
• Infrastructure and land use governance
• Public health and environmental justice
• Community engagement and participatory governance

Students examine how legal frameworks and public policy can help communities respond to environmental, economic, and social challenges.

Example Projects

Mill Creek Watershed & Community Report

One of the project’s major initiatives is the Mill Creek Watershed and Community Report, which documents environmental and community needs in Southwest Louisville. Developed through interviews with residents and collaboration with local partners, the report identifies resilience challenges and informs regional watershed planning.

Students contribute research, analysis, and policy recommendations that support community-led solutions and long-term planning.

National and Local Impact

The Resilience Justice Project has collaborated with organizations and government partners in communities across the country, including projects involving environmental resilience, housing, and community governance. These partnerships allow students to engage with policy challenges at the local, regional, and national levels.

Recent work has included research and policy analysis supporting resilience planning efforts in communities facing environmental and infrastructure challenges.

Featured Scholarship

Research connected to the Resilience Justice Project includes “Resilience Justice and Community-Based Green and Blue Infrastructure” by Professor Tony Arnold and student researchers, published in the William & Mary Environmental Law & Policy Review (2021). The work explores how law and community partnerships can support equitable resilience planning.

Contact

For more information or to get involved:

Professor Tony Arnold
Director, Resilience Justice Project
tony.arnold@louisville.edu