The Police Accountability and Policy Evaluation Research (PAPER) Lab is an interdisciplinary team of researchers dedicated to promoting accountability and enhancing the effectiveness of police practices. Our team brings together expertise drawn from criminology, political science, public policy, technology, public administration, and policing practice.
With our diverse backgrounds and disciplines, we are uniquely positioned to approach police accountability from multiple angles, ensuring a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the complex issues involved. Our team members have extensive experience in conducting rigorous research and analysis, utilizing modern causal research designs to provide reliable and actionable insights.
The PAPER Lab is committed to transparency and open access. Through our research, we aim to inform evidence-based policies and practices in policing. To achieve this, we not only publish our findings in leading academic journals but also release public datasets, statistical packages, and summary reports. By making these resources available, we empower researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to build upon our work and make informed decisions.
In addition to our research endeavors, the PAPER Lab also serves as a training ground for the next generation of researchers in the field of police accountability and policy evaluation. Through our training programs, we aim to nurture a diverse cohort of researchers, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the pressing challenges in this domain.
Our strong connections to police executives, technology vendors, media outlets, and policymaking circles further enhance our ability to disseminate our findings and engage with key stakeholders. By bridging the gap between research and practice, we strive to contribute to meaningful improvements in police accountability and the development of evidence-based policies.
Financial Support
We are grateful to the following funders:
- National Institute of Justice (Award #15PNIJ-23-GG-05487-RESS) for generous funding of our research and research workshop.
- Arnold Ventures for funding the entirety of the lab’s 2025 research workshop.