As part of Harris Public Policy, the University of Chicago Urban Labs works to address challenges across five key dimensions of urban life: crime, education, energy & environment, health, and economic opportunity. Each of the five urban labs partner with civic and community leaders to identify, test, and help scale the programs and policies with the greatest potential to improve human lives, and provide meaningful opportunities for Harris students to engage with important issues affecting the City of Chicago and beyond. Crime Lab Using randomized controlled trials, insights from behavioral economics, and predictive analytics, the Crime Lab partners with policymakers and practitioners to generate evidence about the strategies that reduce violence and do the most social good per dollar spent. Becoming A Man (BAM) group session. The Crime Lab evaluated the impact of BAM using a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Photo credit: Youth GuidanceEducation Lab The Education Lab partners with civic and community leaders to identify, rigorously evaluate, and learn how to scale programs and policies that improve education in America’s most distressed urban neighborhoods. Energy & Environmental Lab The Energy & Environment Lab partners with civic and community leaders to identify, rigorously evaluate, and help scale programs and policies that reduce pollution, conserve limited natural resources, and improve environmental outcomes, while ensuring access to reliable and affordable energy. The Energy & Environment Lab has partnered with the Illinois Department of Public Health to address the issue of lead exposure to children in Illinois.Health Lab The Health Lab partners with civic and community leaders to identify, rigorously evaluate, and help scale programs and policies that improve health outcomes, particularly for low-income and disadvantaged urban residents. Inclusive Economy Lab The Inclusive Economy Lab partners with policymakers, community-based organizations and others to generate rigorous evidence that leads to greater economic opportunity for communities harmed by disinvestment and segregation. Faculty Spotlight Jens Ludwig Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor On urban poverty, Ludwig has participated in the evaluation of a HUD-funded residential-mobility experiment that provides low-income public housing families the opportunity to relocate to private-market housing. In the area of crime, Ludwig has written extensively about gun-violence prevention. Read more Recent News Student Profile: Noah Fischer, MPP class of ’23 Wed., February 24, 2021 Leaders in Sports, Business and Politics Get Credit—and Blame. How Much Do They Really Deserve? Tue., February 23, 2021 More news Upcoming Events Writing Persuasive Public Policy Virtual Drop In with Admissions Mon., March 01, 2021 | 12:00 PM A link will be sent to registered guests Chicago, IL 60637 United States Credential Q&A with Admissions Mon., March 01, 2021 | 6:30 PM A link will be sent to registered guests Chicago, IL 60637 United States More events
February 01, 2021 Black Mayors Leading America’s Cities: Path-breaking Approaches to Tackling Urban Policy Read more