The Center for Public Policy

The vision of the Center for Public Policy is to serve as the premier public policy consulting and research center for state, regional, and local leaders to evaluate and enhance decision-making capabilities, organization systems, and service delivery to positively impact their communities.

Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE)

The Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE) serves as a vehicle to advance racial equity and social justice through multidisciplinary scholarship, research, training, and engagement. RISE aims to be the national leader in advancing social justice to inform public policy, governance and practice to improve conditions for marginalized voices within our society, including communities of color, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, incarcerated populations, survivors of domestic violence, and women.

Center for Urban and Regional Analysis

The Center for Urban and Regional Analysis (CURA) partners with towns, cities, regions, state agencies, and nonprofits to conduct economic development studies, evaluate policies and programs, and build decision support systems with user-friendly data dashboards for visualization. CURA works to identify strategies and solutions for the most pressing socioeconomic issues, including affordable housing, workforce development, industry cluster targeting, and more.

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute promotes the development of current and emerging leaders in academic institutions, other public, private, and nonprofit organizations, and communities. Consistent with the mission of VCU, the Institute is committed to identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders through leadership training and public policy research.

Land Use Education Program

The Land Use Education Program (LUEP) offers a range on online, blended, and face-to-face training opportunities for local government officials, professional planners, and interested citizens. Programs include our nationally-recognized Certified Planning Commissioner and Certified Board of Zoning Appeals Programs, legal seminars, seminars and workshops on special topics, and customized trainings.

The Division of Research and Outreach

The Division of Research and Outreach leads the effort to create effective public policy in Virginia by connecting local and state policymakers to academic experts within VCU through the Translational Research Fellows Program. It also conducts public policy polls multiple times per year to provide policymakers and the public with an up-to-date snapshot of public opinion in Virginia, and engages in community outreach activities with Girl Scouts, homeschool groups, Rotary Clubs, and others.

Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory

The Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory (SERL) has been creating collaborative research and evaluation partnerships with public and private entities at the local and state levels since 1982. SERL’s overall mission is to examine public issues and social problems through applied research and evaluation techniques to broaden and improve public discourse and decision-making.

Equity and Diversity Projects

The Wilder School and the Center for Public Policy have a long history of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our community and across Virginia. Through offerings in research, training, and leadership, we leverage the expertise of Center for Public Policy faculty and researchers as we work with state and local governments, as well as with businesses and nonprofits, to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive commonwealth. Click here to learn more about this work.