Research teams at Brown to investigate solutions to nine pressing pandemic challenges

The projects, which address problems ranging from mental health to food security to the impact on K-12 education, will receive $643,029 in research support from a new Peter G. Peterson Foundation fund.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — With support from a new Peter G. Peterson Foundation Pandemic Response Policy Research Fund, nine research teams at Brown University will investigate the challenges presented by pandemics across public health, health care, fiscal policy, the economy and education in the United States, as well as potential solutions in those areas for policymakers to consider.

Through a competitive submission process, Brown Vice President for Research Jill Pipher and a committee of faculty reviewers selected nine of 21 research proposals for awards ranging from $47,776 to $100,000.

“The selected projects identify pandemic challenges needing solutions,” Pipher said. “They look at its wide-ranging impact to our society, and we believe the projects will advance the national conversation about managing a pandemic in this country. I look forward to the knowledge gained and solutions developed as a result of these investigations.”

“The selected projects identify pandemic challenges needing solutions. They look at its wide-ranging impact to our society, and we believe the projects will advance the national conversation about managing a pandemic in this country.”

Jill Pipher Vice President for Research
 
Jill Pipher

Projects awarded include:

Awards from the $1 million fund may be used to pilot entirely new projects and studies or to pivot or scale-up existing projects. Selection criteria included the potential of the research to contribute to understanding pandemics and provide new knowledge or solutions that will impact policy, and the qualifications and diversity of the research team and inclusiveness of project staff and affected communities researched.

“The research insights and analyses from experts at Brown will help lawmakers design solutions to lessen the impact and hasten the recovery from future economic crises,” said Michael A. Peterson, CEO of the Peterson Foundation. “The foundation is pleased to support this vital work to help ensure a stronger fiscal and economic future for our nation.”

A second cycle of project awards will occur in October 2022.