Featured Pardee RAND Research

Pardee RAND students and faculty — and even some alumni — contribute to RAND research. This page features selected reports and projects to which the Pardee RAND community has contributed.

Nuclear-Use Cases for Contemplating Crisis and Conflict on the Korean Peninsula
Apr 5, 2022

What are some potential ways that nuclear weapons might be brandished or used in a Korea-originated crisis? An essay by alum Bruce Bennett (cohort '75) and Prof. Paul Davis sketches a number of cases involving conflict on the Korean peninsula. They offer insights on how and why nuclear war could occur, and the corresponding circumstances that must be avoided.
Evaluating WhyWeRise 2020 and 2021
Mar 10, 2022

WhyWeRise is a social marketing campaign focused on prevention of, and early intervention for, mental health challenges among Los Angeles County residents. Surveys by Ingrid Estrada-Darley (cohort '19) and Profs. Rebecca Collins and Nicole Eberhart suggest that this campaign reached a racially, culturally, and economically diverse group of county residents, fostered a feeling of support among those exposed to the campaign, and boosted residents' awareness of local resources.
Do Financial Incentives Affect Medicare Use by Chronically Ill Individuals?
Mar 4, 2022

Alum Sai Ma (cohort '02) and RAND colleagues found that individuals with chronic conditions respond to changes in copays, although these responses are small. Reductions in PCP copays lead to reduced use of some specialists, suggesting that lowering PCP copays could be an effective way to reduce the use of specialist care, a desirable outcome if specialists are overused.
Educating Students with Disabilities: Lessons from the Pandemic
Mar 3, 2022

Heather Gomez-Bendaña (cohort '19) and Lucas Greer ('20) analyzed a survey of U.S. educators that sheds light on the obstacles that teachers and principals faced—even before the pandemic. They found that the obstacles make supporting students with disabilities especially challenging in the COVID-19 era.
A Green Costa Rican COVID-19 Recovery
Feb 24, 2022

Before COVID-19 hit, Costa Rica had been taking a leading role in addressing the effects of climate change by investing in decarbonization. Pardee RAND students, faculty, and alumni consider whether these same investments could also accelerate Costa Rica's pandemic economic recovery and help address historical inequities.
Visualizing Costa Rica's Carbon-Neutral Future
Feb 23, 2022

The latest product of RAND Art + Data illustrates research findings by Pardee RAND alumni and students David Groves, James Syme, Edmundo Molina-Perez, and Carlos Calvo Hernandez, who analyzed the potential outcomes of Costa Rica's National Decarbonization Plan.
Anti-Bias Education in U.S. Public Schools
Feb 22, 2022

Teaching students explicitly about issues of identity, diversity, equity, and bias can lead to positive outcomes. Ashley Woo (cohort '18), Prof. Julia Kaufman, and RAND colleagues found that nearly three in four K–12 teachers reported that they provide such anti-bias instruction, but more than half said that their school's or district's curriculum materials did not adequately address anti-bias topics.
Equity Metrics for Climate Adaptation in the Electricity Sector
Feb 17, 2022

In 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission adopted a ruling that requires utilities to assess communities' vulnerability to climate impacts and evaluate how climate adaptation efforts can promote equity. Researchers developed a set of context-specific equity metrics that Southern California Edison could build on and incorporate into its ongoing work toward climate adaptation.
School Staffing Challenges in the Pandemic's Third Year
Feb 15, 2022

As of fall 2021, school staff shortages were most acute for substitutes, bus drivers, special education teachers, and paraprofessionals, Melissa Diliberti (cohort '19) finds, based on an analysis of American School District Panel survey data. The turnover of superintendents was normal but half of them said that they might leave in the next few years or were unsure of how long they would stay.
Carve-In Models for Specialty Behavioral Health Services: Lessons for California
Feb 11, 2022

Many states separate, or "carve out," Medicaid financing of behavioral health services from that for other types of health care, but there has been a recent trend in some states toward "carve-ins": combining financing for behavioral health services with the larger pool of Medicaid-covered services. Jonah Kushner (cohort '20) and Prof. Marcela Horvitz-Lennon examine the experiences of other states with carve-in financing to inform California's consideration of this type of funding.
Physician Compensation and Financial Incentives in U.S. Health Systems
Feb 8, 2022

Despite growth in value-based payment arrangements and a push to improve value in health care, alumni Cheryl Damberg (cohort '89) and Erin Duffy ('15) find that health systems currently incentivize physicians to maximize volume, thereby maximizing revenues.
Challenges That May Be Getting in the Way of Student Learning
Feb 8, 2022

Melissa Diliberti (cohort '19) and Prof. Heather Schwartz found that, as of November 2021, school district leaders' top three concerns were the mental health of students, teachers, and principals. And 74 percent of them said that political polarization about COVID-19 safety or vaccines was interfering with their ability to educate students.
Worker and Employer Experiences with COVID-19 and the California Workers' Compensation System
Feb 4, 2022

Given workplace risks from COVID-19, California policymakers passed Senate Bill (SB) 1159 to facilitate access to workers' compensation benefits for frontline workers. This report reviews the literature on worker and employer experiences surrounding COVID-19 and workers' compensation benefits.
The Value of Education and Training After High School
Feb 2, 2022

Most types of postsecondary credentials can lead to improved earnings. But alum Lindsey Daugherty (cohort '05) explains that returns can vary across different fields and by demographic characteristics. Understanding the value of credentials can help individuals, employers, and policymakers make smarter investments.
Hyper-Local Strategies Are Working to Promote Vaccination Equity
Jan 28, 2022

The Equity-First Vaccination Initiative, launched in summer 2021, has already made progress in reducing racial/ethnic disparities in U.S. COVID-19 vaccination rates. Lawrence Baker (cohort '19), Priya Gandhi ('20), Khadesia Howell ('20), and Rebecca Wolfe ('20)—working with Profs. Laura Faherty, Jeanne Ringel, and Malcolm Williams—found that hyper-local, community-led strategies are helping to increase vaccine confidence and access for communities that identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
How Were Principals Doing One Year into the Pandemic?
Jan 26, 2022

Four out of five secondary school principals reported experiencing frequent job-related stress during the 2020–2021 school year. As the pandemic persists, Ashley Woo (cohort '18) explores what could help reduce the burden on school leaders.
Predictors of PTSD Treatment Retention and Response
Jan 24, 2022

Sangita Baxi (cohort '17), Christine Chen ('15), Meghan Franco ('17), Mahlet Gizaw ('17), and Nima Shahidinia ('16) worked with Profs. Margaret Maglione and Susanne Hempel to identify baseline patient characteristics and program features associated with military PTSD treatment retention, response, and remission
How to Effectively Assess the Impact of Non-Lethal Weapons as Intermediate Force Capabilities
Jan 18, 2022

The U.S Department of Defense needs to be able to assess the tactical, operational, and strategic impact of non-lethal weapons to inform how and when they should be used and their integration into overall DoD capabilities. Alum Jonathan Wong (cohort '12) and RAND colleagues ask, how do non-lethal weapons contribute to overarching DoD goals?
Psychiatric Bed Capacity in California
Jan 18, 2022

Many parts of the United States are confronting a shortage of psychiatric beds. Ingrid Estrada-Darley (cohort '19) and RAND researchers evaluated California's adult psychiatric bed need for 2021 and coming years.
Developing Strategic Plans for Defense Human Resource Management
Jan 18, 2022

Although leaders of many organizations appreciate the value of strategic planning, they wrestle with the principles that should be used to guide a planning process. Nathan Thompson (cohort '20) and Prof. Charles Goldman colleagues explore what principles should guide the development and implementation of strategic plans in defense human resource management organizations.
Addressing Climate Migration
Dec 7, 2021

As the effects of climate change increase in scope and severity, more people will relocate to preserve or enhance their lives and livelihoods. Jay Balagna (cohort '20) and Prof. Aaron Clark-Ginsberg review how six countries are managing climate mobility and provide options for policymakers considering the needs of climate migrants and their host communities.
Understanding the Online Extremist Ecosystem
Dec 2, 2021

By the early 2010s, it was clear that the internet provided white supremacists and other extremists a tool to operationalize their hateful ideas and cause real-world harms. Jamie Ryan (cohort '17) and colleagues ask, how can the average user understand their risk of exposure to extremist content and make informed decisions about the platforms they use?
Addressing Anti-Asian Racism in the Era of COVID-19
Nov 30, 2021

Public anxiety and fear during the pandemic and negative rhetoric by politicians triggered the current wave of anti-Asian hate. It has galvanized the community to build newfound alliances and resilience. Advocates are working to increase reporting of hate incidents and develop strategies to fight anti-Asian racism.
Implementing China's Grand Strategy in Asia Through Institutions
Nov 29, 2021

China's long-term goal is to build a preeminent Asian presence and a larger global presence in the socioeconomic, diplomatic, and defense arenas. Since the end of the Cold War, China's grand strategy has been guided by this goal. Lynn Hu (cohort '19) and Prof. Rafiq Dossani consider, What are the implications of this strategy for Asia?
Stabilizing Great-Power Rivalries
Nov 29, 2021

The international system is headed for a renewed era of intense competition among major powers. And there are serious grounds for concern about U.S. rivalries with Russia and China. To ensure stability—and avoid war—the policy response should be nuanced and go beyond bolstering military capabilities.