Policy Resources
From in-depth analysis to practical policy insights, find research that helps explain how economic policy shapes outcomes for workers, families, and long-term growth.
Our Policy Areas of Focus
The Washington Center for Equitable Growth connects economic evidence and policy to promote shared prosperity and growth by funding policy-relevant research, elevating scholars and their work, and translating evidence for policymakers.
How Ideas Move Into Policy Decision
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has the potential to spur innovation and reshape markets and work. Without deliberate policy decisions, the economic benefits of AI could compound or magnify inequalities and harm long-term growth.
To equip leaders to guide AI toward shared prosperity, our work examines:
- The impact of AI on employment levels, wages, and job content
- How AI drives macroeconomic impacts such as growth and productivity
- Market competition implications of AI use
- The use of algorithms in labor management
Economic Security and Mobility
Rising economic insecurity, exacerbated by regressive policies, limits people from reaching their full economic potential, slowing overall growth. Our research equips policymakers with evidence to reduce insecurity, unlock economic potential, and support durable, broad-based economic growth.
We focus on:
- The efficacy of public benefit and social insurance programs
- Income security and access to wealth-building
- Policy effects on economic mobility
- The value of economic inclusion
- The impacts on workforce outcomes through policies such as schedule stability and childcare
Labor and Competition
Dynamic labor markets drive the U.S. economy, but years of wage stagnation coupled with rising corporate consolidation has squeezed U.S. workers and consumers, threatening to slow growth as inequality rises. Our research seeks to understand how we can spur productivity and support workers in a changing economy.
We focus on:
- Unemployment and wage growth
- Bargaining power and union coverage
- Tariffs and trade policy
- Monopsony and corporate consolidation
- Gender and race pay equity
- Nonwage amenities, job quality, and upward job mobility
Macroeconomics and Inequality
Decades of rising inequality, declining economic mobility, and persistent structural disparities have increased household-level vulnerability and broadened economic instability.
To reduce volatility and strengthen individual and macroeconomic resilience for broad-based growth, we focus on:
- Automatic stabilizers that cushion downturns and promote more even recoveries
- Tools to respond to recessions that quickly stabilize households, boost the economy, and limit scarring
- Ways to encourage private investment and job growth
- Wealth inequality using novel data and analysis
- Policies to strengthen supply chains and support the energy transition
How Ideas Move Into Policy Decisions
Disseminate research and policy guidance
Identify policy areas and issues
Conduct original research and identify spaces for effective policy interventions
Identify policy relevant and academically rigorous research questions
Progress depends on a continuous exchange between ideas and action.
Research helps define the questions that matter, while policy challenges shape the direction of inquiry. When these two stay connected, evidence becomes more than insight—it becomes a tool for better decisions.
That connection is powered by people.
At the center of this work is a network of more than 400 researchers focusing on real policy questions—helping explain economic trends, evaluate solutions, and inform decision-making.