Research
Our faculty combine computational social science, causal inference, machine learning, and geospatial analytics with substantive expertise in urban and industrial policy, economic development, nonprofit management, and public administration, partnering with governments and communities to translate evidence into practice.
Generative AI & Computational Social Science
Using large language models as measurement instruments, studying AI fairness and bias, and examining the implications of generative AI for local labor markets, work, and society. Supported in part by the Anthropic Economic Futures Grant and the Korea National Research Foundation.
Economic Development & Public Policy Evaluation
Examining how place-based policies, public infrastructure investment, and economic development programs shape firms, communities, and labor markets, using quasi-experimental designs, spatial econometrics, and large administrative datasets. The NSF EAGER Award #2431853 on place-based innovation is a lead example of this work.
Innovation, Technological Change & Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
Investigating how agglomeration economies, industrial policy, R&D subsidies, and trade openness shape firm competitiveness, technology upgrading, and regional entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on comparative evidence from China and the United States.
AI, Technology & Governance
This theme examines the governance of artificial intelligence, digital equity, smart city innovation, and the role of technology in reshaping government and civic life. Drawing on cross-national research funded by the Australian Research Council, the National Science Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation, CTDS faculty investigate responsible AI adoption in local government, public trust in algorithmic decision-making, broadband equity and digital inclusion, facial recognition policy, chatbot deployment in public services, and IoT governance.