Seemingly overnight, “evidence-based policy” is in vogue. The idea is simple and uncontroversial: The government should produce better evidence and use it to make decisions. But actually getting legislators and policymakers to do that, especially in today’s politically charged environment, is a tall order. This event takes on that challenge.

The recently passed Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act provides a vehicle for making evidence-based policy a true input into policymaking, and now committed people must drive it to reality.

At this conference, two former Commissioners of the Evidence-based Policymaking Commission will host a discussion on how to make EBP a reality. They will talk with leading decision makers in the evidence community, discuss ways agencies can produce better evidence, and consider how some of the latest insights from behavioral economics can stimulate better policy outcomes.

The event is made possible through a generous grant from the William T. Grant Foundation.

8:30 – 9:00 Registration and light breakfast
9:00 – 9:10 Welcome and Introduction
Scott Wallsten Technology Policy Institute
Robert Hahn, Technology Policy Institute
9:10 – 9:35 Updates on Evidence Act: A conversation with Shelly Wilkie Martinez,
U.S. Office of Management and Budget and Robert Shea (moderator), Grant Thornton
Lightning-round presentations on leading examples
9:35 – 9:50 Insights from the Administration for Children and Families multi-year
work on behavioral insights
Emily Schmitt, Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Schmitt_EBP_compressed
9:50 – 10:05 Insights for federal agencies from the city level
Sam Quinney, The Lab @ DC
Quinney_EBP
10:05 – 10:20 Insights from the U.S. Department of Education
Jessica Barrett Simpson, U.S. Department of Education

10:20 – 10:35 Insights from working with agencies
Paul Ferraro, Johns Hopkins University
Ferraro_EBP_compressed

10:35 – 10:50 Break

10:50 – 11:25 Moderated discussion and audience Q&A with presenters
Andy Feldman (moderator), Grant Thornton

11:25 – 11:30 Concluding remarks – Robert Hahn
11:30 AM Adjourn