Robert Kearney

Robert Kearney is the Program Director for Situational Decision-Making (Sit-D) at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. In this role, he leads efforts to advance and scale Sit-D, an evidence-based police training program that combines behavioral science with immersive simulation to strengthen officers’ decision-making in high-pressure situations. 

Prior to joining Harris, Kearney served as Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager to Alderman Brendan Reilly in Chicago’s 42nd Ward, where he spent more than nine years in increasingly senior roles spanning government operations, constituent services, public safety, policy development, communications, and political operations. He managed a team of five and oversaw the day-to-day operations of an office serving more than 50,000 residents. Kearney worked extensively with the Chicago Police Department, City departments, elected officials, and state and federal partners on public safety and municipal policy initiatives. He also played a leading role in developing and implementing innovative public safety initiatives, coordinating complex intergovernmental projects, and managing staff and organizational operations. 

Kearney holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, where he focused on data analytics and program evaluation. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from DePaul University, with concentrations in International Relations and Comparative Politics.