Virginia Policy Lab is a student-led policy think tank that works with local partners to create and implement effective public policy solutions to tackle important issues in our communities.
Virginia Policy Lab is a student-led public policy think tank founded by students at the University of Virginia. Often, students are told to sit idly by and “wait for their turn” to make a difference. The Virginia Policy Lab firmly rejects this sentiment and aims to empower young people to make a difference in their community through public policy.
We value innovation, analysis, and community collaboration in our work to make meaningful progress toward a brighter tomorrow. We are hardworking, diverse, and thoughtful students with varying skills, majors, and governmental interests working together to craft policy.
A policy think tank is defined by flexibility. Budgets, legislation, and time often constrain governments and their ability to innovate approaches to problems. Legislators often lack the resources to research and craft policies on their own. Policy think tanks fill a critical role in bridging these gaps in governance.
Policy think tanks can step in to assist governments in achieving their goals, providing support and crucial capacity. They are well-positioned to research and disseminate information about up-and-coming innovations in public policy to legislatures, providing the foundation for advocacy work. Think tanks have historically played a role in pushing new ideas into government, promoting productive discourse about solutions to social issues, and informing decision-making in communities.
This is a policy lab, a think-tank. By definition, this organization is a place for innovation and thinking outside of the box. Members have the freedom to explore and engage with public policy creatively with the financial and community support of VPoL. You should feel empowered to pursue your own niche interests, to pursue unexpected opportunities as they arise, collaborate with community organizations, and produce novel scholarship. Along the way, VPoL will be there to support you.
For more information about day-to-day life in the Policy Lab, check out our guidebook!
Virginia Policy Lab endeavors to craft public policy that uplifts communities through research, innovation, creativity, and collaboration. We envision a world where thoughtful and relevant public policies empower all individuals to pursue happy and healthy lives.
Our Mission Statement
We are excited to share that for the 2024-2025 academic year, the Virginia Policy Lab will partner with the City of Charlottesville. Our partnership with the City will focus on improving the City of Charlottesville’s work towards greater transparency in affordable housing as detailed in the City’s Affordable Housing Plan. We will work directly with…