Mosbacher Institute for Trade Economics and Public Policy

The Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy studies a range of issues at the intersection of behavioral economics, law, and public policy. The issues include energy, health, obesity, highway safety, economic growth, finance, the environment (including climate change), savings, uses of social media, human rights, education, discrimination, and poverty. A particular emphasis is on behaviorally informed tools, such as default rules, norms, simplification, education, and warnings . There is continuing attention to the newest and best work in behavioral economics and its implications for public policy.

The Center conducts and synthesizes wide-ranging research that explores the circumstances under which people develop the skills necessary to achieve their fullest potential and thrive in the current economy. This research, guided by Nobel laureate James J. Heckman, brings together teams of the best researchers from throughout the world to explore complex and interrelated aspects of how individuals acquire human capital and how that shapes economic outcomes.

The Center for Human Potential and Public Policy at Harris Public Policy purpose is to understand the forces driving inequality of opportunity for children in society and to develop interventions to close the gaps in cognitive and noncognitive skills between economically advantaged and disadvantaged children. CHPPP has a special interest in interventions that draw on the principles of behavioral science and that leverage technology so that promising interventions can be brought to scale quickly and cost effectively. Directed by Professor Ariel Kalil, a developmental psychologist who studies how economic conditions and parents’ socioeconomic status affect parenting, the home environment, and child development, the center advances the distinction of Harris among public policy schools for its interdisciplinary perspective on children and families.

The Center for Law and Economic Studies’ basic mandate is to develop interdisciplinary research and teaching programs in order to shed new light on the "fundamental economic and legal problems of the modern industrial society." The center, founded in 1975, sponsors an extensive program of research, teaching, and public discussion of law and economic issues. It has taken the lead in developing new interdisciplinary courses and seminars at Columbia. The center has supported many major research projects, which have included participants from law, economics, business, and other disciplines. In addition, the center provides regular support for research by Columbia faculty members.

The Center for Climate, Energy, Environment and Economics (CE3) creates opportunities for law students to develop a deep understanding of environmental, energy and climate law beyond the classroom. CE3 sponsors a competitive scholarship program, offers students opportunities to assist with research and coauthor publications and supports experiential learning opportunities such as externships and energy and envrironmental moot court competitions. The center also works to inform public policy and private sector decision-making at the state and federal levels though nonpartisan, objective analysis. The center begins projects by engaging stakeholders in government, business and communities to identify pressing energy and environmental issues. CE3 then partners with students, Carolina Law faculty and scholars from other universities to provide analysis and identify innovative legal responses.

The Northwestern University Center on Law, Business, and Economics is a nonprofit research and educational organization committed to the study of the impact of laws and regulations on economic growth. Our efforts seek to provide academic, public policy, and judicial leaders with analytically rigorous and balanced information on important and timely issues.