What We’re Learning

What We’re Learning

We believe that a community of creative problem-solvers, faced with complicated, seemingly intractable challenges, is well-served by thought-provoking, research-based information and analysis. We support the development and dissemination of research in two ways:

Abell Reports

Abell Reports are commissioned reports by subject matter experts, academics, and investigative journalists that provide studies of selected issues on the public agenda.

Abell-Supported Research

These projects – undertaken with grant funding by academics and nonprofit research and advocacy organizations – advance learning on issues key to Baltimore City.

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    Featured Reports

    Photo courtesy of the Goucher Prison Education Partnership.

    2024 Annual Report

    A reflection on the promising new approaches and new resources that have been brought to bear in the last decade.

    Abell Report: “Justice by Geography”: Improving Pretrial Electric Monitoring in Maryland

    Recent changes to state funding have reignited conversations among Maryland corrections leaders about expanding and strengthening electronic monitoring (EM) and pretrial services. This report summarizes key findings from the Justice Policy Institute’s research into EM as well as best practices.

    Abell Report: Evidence of Racial Bias in Home Appraisals in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area

    Racial bias in home appraising can harm individuals by making home purchases more expensive or refinancing unattainable, but when compounded on the community level, it can have profound impacts on minority communities’ ability to build wealth. Using newly available federal data, this report finds evidence of systemic appraisal bias that undervalues homes in predominantly Black communities in Baltimore City and the surrounding counties.

    Publications Library

    Abell Salutes: “I Can’t We Can”

    “Saving lives, winning souls.” Drug rehabilitation through “divine intervention.”

    Childhood Lead Poisoning in Baltimore: A Generation Imperiled As Laws Ignored

    It is the chief environmental disease affecting Baltimore City’s children, and it is entirely preventable. Three recommendations to avoid making our children victims of 45 years of catch-up.

    Teacher Certification Reconsidered: Stumbling for Quality

    Maryland’s requirement that individuals must complete a prescribed body of coursework before teaching in a public school is deeply misguided.

    Abell Salutes: Open Society Institute (OSI)

    A world-wide philanthropy that is making a difference locally. “We are a foundation in a hurry.”

    Leave Your Car Where You Parked It

    Get from the Inner Harbor to Inner Harbor East, Fells Point and Canton in about 20 minutes on SMRTram — with fun stops along the way.

    Header photo courtesy of Venture for America.