USF Policy Lab

About the USF Policy Lab  

The USF Policy Lab collects and analyzes data and evidence to solve problems and identify opportunities in San Francisco. 

This partnership between the university and local government provides independent, timely analysis of policy issues and shares key findings that is accessible to the public as well as policy makers. Graduate and undergraduate students in our affiliated programs work with faculty on research projects, serving the public interest while developing their research skills. The Lab serves as an entry point for potential partners to contact the University. We will then marshal the existing research and analytical capacity among our faculty and programs. The goal is to reduce the transaction costs for everyone in forming these partnerships. 

Whether you have a fully formed project idea or simply an idea that you'd like to explore, we are here to help coordinate with the right expertise and resources!

 

 

At the USF Policy Lab 

We are passionate about making a difference amongst our students and helping them change the world from here. 

The USF Policy Lab is made up of faculty, students, research projects and data sets.

Here at the USF Policy Lab, local policy makers can engage in 3 ways: 

  •  Come with a quick ask if you need data about an issue. 
  •   Have a question to explore, you can be connected to faculty member and linked to a course that will engage with the question as a semester long project. 
  • Create long term projects that can be given to Graduate students or Fellows to engage with over multiple semesters.

  For our student partners, we help by providing:

  • Providing support during your time at USF 

  • Embed real-world problems in your courses, so you get real-world experience

  • Connect you with the San Francisco community 

 For our community partners, we help by providing:

  • Connections to faculty expertise in relevant areas  

  • Collection of data on issues 

  • Supervision of teams of graduate and undergraduate students to work on your policy needs

Connecting with faculty 

Housed at a research university, the USFPL’s affiliated faculty bring a wide breadth of policy expertise to the variety of salient local, national, and global issues. Please check out our affiliated faculties’ profiles to see issues and areas where we can provide particular expertise. 

View affiliated faculty

The San Francisco Policy Lab

Konrad Posch, PhD, Managing Director