UCLA-RAND Center for Law and Public Policy

UCLA-RAND Center for Law and Public Policy. The center is a collaborative research institute established jointly by the University of California, Los Angeles and the RAND Corporation. It is dedicated to producing rigorous, interdisciplinary, and nonpartisan research on critical issues at the intersection of law, public policy, and social science. The center leverages the academic strengths of UCLA School of Law and the analytical expertise of the RAND Corporation to inform public debate and improve policy-making.

History and establishment

The center was formally launched in 2005 through a strategic partnership between UCLA School of Law and the RAND Corporation. This collaboration was designed to bridge the gap between academic legal scholarship and applied policy analysis. Key figures in its founding included then-Dean of UCLA School of Law, Michael H. Schill, and leadership at the RAND Corporation. The initiative was supported by a significant grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, which has a long history of funding evidence-based policy research. The establishment built upon a history of individual collaborations between faculty at University of California, Los Angeles and researchers at the RAND Corporation, particularly in areas like health policy, criminal justice, and national security.

Research focus and methodology

The center's research is characterized by its interdisciplinary approach, integrating methods from law, economics, psychology, and statistics. A primary focus is on the empirical evaluation of legal institutions and policy interventions, often employing advanced quantitative methods and randomized controlled trials. Core research domains include criminal justice reform, health law and policy, immigration policy, regulatory governance, and the functioning of the judicial system. Scholars at the center frequently analyze large datasets, such as those from the Bureau of Justice Statistics or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to test hypotheses about policy effectiveness. This methodology emphasizes evidence-based policy and aims to provide objective analysis to stakeholders including Congress, state legislatures, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Key projects and publications

The center has produced influential studies on a wide array of topics. Notable projects have examined the efficacy of drug courts, the impact of sentencing guidelines on prison populations, and the legal and social implications of cannabis legalization. Researchers have published major reports on improving access to mental health services within the criminal justice system and evaluating the Affordable Care Act. Work on policing strategies, such as the effects of body-worn cameras, has received significant public and media attention. Findings are disseminated through peer-reviewed journals like the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, policy briefs, and testimony before bodies like the California State Legislature and the United States Commission on Civil Rights. The center also hosts public conferences and seminars featuring experts from institutions like the Brookings Institution and the American Bar Association.

Organizational structure and leadership

The center is jointly governed by representatives from UCLA School of Law and the RAND Corporation. It is led by a faculty director, a position held by noted social psychologist and law professor Robert MacCoun. An executive committee, comprising senior faculty from UCLA and senior researchers from RAND Corporation, sets the strategic research agenda. The center supports postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and visiting scholars, integrating them into ongoing research projects. It maintains its administrative offices in Santa Monica, California, near the headquarters of the RAND Corporation, while maintaining strong ties to the UCLA campus in Westwood, Los Angeles. Funding is derived from foundation grants, such as those from the National Institute of Justice and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and government contracts.

Impact and recognition

Research from the center has directly influenced policy debates and legislative reforms at both state and federal levels. Its analyses have been cited in amicus briefs submitted to the Supreme Court of the United States and have informed reports by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The center's nonpartisan, data-driven approach has earned it a reputation for credibility among policymakers, journalists, and scholars. Its work on issues like bail reform and forensic science standards has been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times and National Public Radio. By training the next generation of empirical legal scholars, the center extends its impact into academia and public service, with alumni taking positions in leading law schools, the U.S. Department of Justice, and influential think tanks like the Urban Institute.

Category:Research institutes in California Category:University of California, Los Angeles Category:RAND Corporation