USF Policy Lab

Projects 

The University of San Francisco Policy Lab brings together faculty expertise, student researchers, and community partners to tackle real-world policy challenges. Our projects range from data-driven policy analysis to community-engaged research with each one demonstrating the power of collaboration between the university and the communities we serve. 

We're developing partnership with community organizations, government agencies, and faculty across disciplines to launch initiatives addressing San Francisco's most pressing policy challenges. 

 

 

Professor Hobbs and his graduate student standing in front of a large wall-mounted display showing a detailed geographic map with shaded regions. One gestures toward the screen while explaining, and the other listens with a hand near his face. The setting appears to be a classroom or lab focused on data analysis.
BenMAP-CE vs. Economic Theory: Where Practice Departs from the Ideal

Professor Andrew Hobbs and Graduate student Chris Chris Tsang in Economics evaluate the EPA's BenMAP-CE tool against what welfare economics theory identifies as the ideal approach. 

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Professor Zarobell leans over to speak with a small group of students seated in a classroom. One student holds a tablet while others sit with laptops, and large windows line the room, suggesting a collaborative discussion or mentoring session.
Circular Economy Impact Report for San Francisco

Professor John Zarobell and students in his Global Studies Capstone class performed an economic impact study of the Circular Economy for the city in consultation with the ARUP and SF Environment.  

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Close-up of printed data sheets laid on a table, featuring charts, graphs, and text in orange and blue. A hand points toward one of the visualizations, indicating analysis or discussion of research findings.
Bargaining for Better California Construction Jobs

Working with the Nor Cal Carpenters Union to document the decline in construction job quality in California, loss of market power, wage markdowns, and worsening gendered and household amenities.

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Professor Saah stands at a podium speaking into a microphone, gesturing with one hand. Behind him is a projected slide filled with colorful text and categories, suggesting a presentation on technology or research topics.
Improving Crop Yield Forecasts With AI

Faculty and grad students in the GIS Lab at USF are training machine learning models to match data to help improve farmers' ability to forecast weather and crop yields. 

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A small group of people stands in front of a large poster presentation board. One person gestures while explaining the content, while others face them and listen, indicating a discussion or critique session in an academic setting.
Design + Policy Collaboration

Design and Politics students collaborated on researching issues of fire, water and food in California to propose new policy initiatives and create visual communication tools.

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Professor Siehr sits at a desk in an office, holding and reviewing a printed sheet with a map or data visualization. A computer monitor and office items are visible nearby, suggesting focused individual work on research or policy materials.
Environmental Action Guide

Students in the Environmental Policy class created Public Service Announcement videos to turn environmental policy issues into engaging videos that inform and share calls to action. 

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The San Francisco Policy Lab

Konrad Posch, PhD, Managing Director