The Oregon Policy Lab seeks to leverage the immense talent of the students and faculty of the University of Oregon to provide our partners with tools to identify, assess, and address complex policy challenges.

Policy Lab projects offer UO students applied learning opportunities. It presents our partner organizations research and analysis that uses rigorous and appropriate research methods. The solutions we provide are community-oriented and the research and analysis being done by the Policy Lab are advancing the research in the public policy field

The Economic Development Administration University Center (EDA-UC) at the University of Oregon is committed to fostering sustainable economic development in Oregon by connecting university resources with communities across the state. As part of the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (IPRE), we collaborate with stakeholders including the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA), state and local government, and private industry.

Our mission is to provide technical assistance to distressed communities, empowering them to build sustainable local economies. By bridging academic research with practical expertise, we serve as a catalyst for economic growth. We focus on building local capacity, empowering communities with tools and knowledge to develop strong policies, collaborative networks, and attract new investment resources. Our key areas of focus include local job creation, entrepreneurship, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure. We prioritize long-term partnerships and tailor our services to meet the unique needs of local government, Oregon tribes, and private businesses, ensuring our efforts have lasting impact.

The Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience (OPDR) is a collaborative effort of public, private, and professional organizations, along with faculty from the University of Oregon toward the mission of creating a disaster-resilient, sustainable state.

Developed by the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement (formerly the Community Service Center) at the University of Oregon, OPDR employs a service-learning model engaging undergraduate and graduate students to provide natural hazard planning assistance to Oregon communities. Our program demonstrates how increased communication, coordination, and collaboration between diverse partners can assist communities in reducing their risk from natural hazards.

Students studying in PPPM supplement traditional coursework with project-based applied courses that follow a service-learning model. Graduate students in the MCRP Community Planning Workshop (CPW), the MPA Capstone, and the MNM Nonprofit Consultancy spend 4-6 months each year working with community- or agency-based clients to complete research and engagement on topics chose by the clients. Undergraduate students engage in similar work as Real World Lane County, a 3-month course centered on helping local government and nonprofit clients with smaller projects. These team-based, project-based courses give students hands-on experience with the work they’re likely to take on when they graduate.