Research Centers & Programs
Domestic Programs
Examining various problems affecting urban and regional economic development, such as unemployment, low-birthweight babies, transportation systems and the delivery of public services to the poor. Research has been funded by the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, and Health and Human Services; NATO; the National Science Foundation; and the Rockefeller, Alfred P. Sloan and Andrew W. Mellon foundations. Director, David Sjoquist
Experimental Economics Center
Promoting the development and application of economics and related academic disciplines as empirical social science. The Center was founded in 2006 to support research, teaching, and policy applications involving controlled experiments with human decision makers. Ongoing research in the Center involves development of economic theory supported by data. External funding is provided by the National Science Foundation and core support comes from the Georgia Research Alliance and the state government. Director, James C. Cox
Fiscal Research Center
Providing nonpartisan research, technical assistance and education in the evaluation and design of state and local fiscal and economic policy, including both tax and expenditure issues. The Center's research examines tax policy and reform, education finance, urban policy, economic development, community development, and workforce development, among other issues. The program receives funding from the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism, the Georgia Department of Labor, KPMG Peat Marwick, the Georgia Office of Planning and Budget, and other organizations and agencies. Director, David Sjoquist
Georgia Health Policy Center
Monitoring changes in the rural health-care market and develops strategic community health-care plans; managing a statewide collaborative on improving care at the end of life; designing a uniform assessment and monitoring system for long-term-care applicants; developing a database on Georgians with chronic conditions; evaluating Georgia's health insurance program for low-income children (PeachCare for Kids); coordinating programs to increase the enrollment of uninsured children in Medicaid and PeachCare; and conducting studies on Medicaid reimbursement, consumer satisfaction and special-needs children. The Center receives funding from the Georgia Department of Community Health, the Georgia Coalition for Health, the Packard Foundation and the federal Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Director, Karen Minyard
International Studies Program
Providing academic and technical training, research and technical assistance in support of sound public policy and sustainable economic growth in transition and developing economies. The International Studies Program specializes in the provision of technical assistance and training in the areas of fiscal policy, tax administration, budget management, intergovernmental fiscal relations and economic and fiscal analysis in developing and transition economies. Director, Jorge Martinez-Vasquez
Nonprofit Studies Program
As the nation's economic and social environments have become more complex, the role of the nonprofit sector has grown in importance. At the same time, the sector faces the challenges of technology changes, shifting demographics, global influences, and increasing connectedness to the private and government sectors. To ensure the sector's success, scholars and practitioners need to work together to develop understanding of how the sector functions, and to improve management tools and practices. The Nonprofit Studies Program provides the opportunity to coordinate intellectual resources in order to more effectively contribute to this effort. The Nonprofit Studies Program is in a unique position to promote the principles of economics and effective management in the nonprofit sector. Director, Dennis Young
Public Performance and Management Group
Public Performance and Management Group (PPM) offers an array of resources and solutions to assist public administrators strengthen strategic and operational performance. The goal of the PPM Program is improved public performance. PPM provides real-world solutions to today’s public policy and management problems, and works in a wide range of state and local government settings. PPM also houses the Program for Rehabilitation Leadership. Director, Deon Locklin
Affiliated Research Centers
Flint River Regional Water Planning and Policy Center
The Civic League for Regional Atlanta (Research Atlanta)
For over 30 years, city leaders turned to Research Atlanta for answers to tough policy questions. The program conducts nonpartisan research and promotes public education about critical issues affecting metropolitan Atlanta. Its researchers have tackled problems and issues in public education, government services, government structure, housing, taxation and transportation. Research Atlanta joined with the Regional Leadership Forum in 2006 to create the new Civic League for Regional Atlanta. Research Atlanta reports are now posted here.
