Research Programs

The CEO Policy Institute’s research agenda is built on a commitment to open-minded inquiry, independence, and intellectual diversity. Guided by scholars and experts from across disciplines, the Institute explores the most pressing issues in foreign policy, economics, development, and governance affairs. Our mission is to deliver fact-based insights that help business leaders, policymakers, and the public understand complex challenges and identify actionable solutions.

At its core, the Institute’s work reflects a belief that policy decisions must be informed by rigorous analysis rather than ideology. This ethos ensures that our findings represent a range of perspectives while adhering to the highest standards of scholarship. By combining academic depth with practical policy relevance, the Institute positions itself as a trusted voice in shaping both national and global debates.

Foreign Policy and International Security

In an era of shifting global power and geopolitical uncertainty, the Institute’s Foreign Policy research addresses the risks and opportunities facing international peace and security. Scholars conduct independent, nonpartisan analysis on issues such as great-power competition, regional conflicts, alliances, international institutions, and emerging threats including cybersecurity and climate-related instability. The goal is to provide actionable recommendations that inform governments, multilateral organizations, and the broader public debate.

1. Governance Studies Program

The Governance Studies Program at the CEO Policy Institute is dedicated to strengthening democracy, advancing institutional effectiveness, and fostering responsive governance through independent, fact-based research. Our experts bring together diverse perspectives on pressing policy issues across foreign affairs, economics, development, and metropolitan governance.

With over 38 resident and non-resident scholars, the program is a hub for cutting-edge scholarship and pragmatic solutions. Our work helps inform public debate, equip policymakers, and shape reforms that improve governance both in the United States and worldwide.

The program is directed by Prof. Dr. Alexander Reinhardt, an internationally recognized authority on comparative politics and institutional reform.

Program Goals

• Improve Governance Performance – Strengthen the effectiveness of national governments to deliver outcomes that benefit all citizens.
• Inform Policy Debates – Elevate the quality of discourse around governance challenges by providing clear, evidence-based insights.
• Equip Policymakers – Deliver actionable analysis, innovative research, and practical solutions to improve institutions and governance frameworks.

Areas of Focus

Governance Studies scholars investigate a wide spectrum of topics critical to the functioning of modern democracies and institutions. Our work covers both domestic and global challenges, with emphasis on reforms that enhance transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.

Key areas include:

• Executive Leadership and Institutions
  The presidency, executive powers, and leadership in the modern age.
  Presidential appointments, executive vacancies, and succession processes.
• Legislative Processes and Reform
  U.S. House and Senate procedures, rules, and abuses.
  Redistricting processes, electoral fairness, and public participation.
  Addressing political polarization and institutional gridlock.
• Democracy and Society
  Racial bias and inequality in governance systems.
  The intersection of religion, politics, and public policy
  Expanding public engagement in democratic processes.
• Budgeting and Economic Governance
  Fiscal policy and budget reforms.
  Investments in manufacturing, energy, and critical infrastructure.
  Global economic interdependence and development policy.
• Technology and Security
  Cybersecurity and cyber-espionage threats.
  Digital privacy, surveillance, and governance in a connected world.
  Policies to foster technology innovation and competitiveness.
• Law, Security, and Global Strategy
  The evolving legal architecture of the War on Terror.
  Policy frameworks for detaining and trying terror suspects.
  Strengthening democratic governance in fragile or post-conflict states.
• Education and Human Potential
  School choice, teacher evaluation, and class size policy.
  Governance frameworks that strengthen public education globally.

Commitment

The Governance Studies Program stands as a leading independent voice in global governance research. Through its scholarship, the program identifies critical areas for reform and proposes concrete solutions to improve institutional performance, democratic legitimacy, and public trust.

By uniting academic inquiry with actionable policy recommendations, the program serves as an indispensable resource for business leaders, policymakers, and global institutions navigating the complexities of governance in the 21st century.

2. Economic Studies Program

The Economic Studies Program at the CEO Policy Institute provides rigorous, independent analysis of current and emerging economic challenges. Our scholars work at the intersection of research and policy, generating innovative and practical solutions that promote broad-based growth, economic mobility, and long-term resilience.

By combining data-driven insights, policy expertise, and forward-looking perspectives, the program helps shape debates on fiscal and monetary policy, social equity, and the transition toward sustainable, climate-resilient economies. Findings are communicated to business leaders, policymakers, and the public through reports, briefings, and public engagement.

The program is directed by Prof. Dr. Isabella Grant, a recognized expert in global macroeconomics and public policy.

Program Goals

• Foster Broad-Based Growth – Promote policies that ensure economic prosperity is widely shared across regions and demographics.
• Advance Economic Mobility – Identify and remove structural barriers to opportunity, helping individuals and communities achieve upward mobility.
• Strengthen Fiscal and Monetary Policy – Provide research that supports sound, sustainable policy decisions in an era of economic uncertainty.
• Promote Inclusive Social Policy – Explore ways to reduce inequality, expand opportunity, and ensure equitable participation in economic life.
• Support Climate-Resilient Growth – Develop strategies to transition economies toward sustainable energy, infrastructure, and production systems.

Areas of Focus

Economic Studies scholars examine a wide array of pressing issues, combining academic rigor with policy relevance. Core areas include:

• Macroeconomic Policy
  Fiscal sustainability, taxation, and public investment strategies.
  Monetary policy, inflation management, and financial stability.
• Economic Growth and Productivity
  Structural reforms to drive long-term productivity.
  Innovation, technology adoption, and global competitiveness.
• Opportunity and Mobility
  Policies to expand access to education, skills, and employment.
  Addressing barriers to upward mobility and regional inequality.
• Social Policy and Inclusion
  Tackling poverty and inequality.
  Expanding access to affordable healthcare, childcare, and housing.
• Climate and Sustainability
  Designing market and regulatory frameworks for low-carbon growth.
  Assessing climate risks to economic performance and fiscal health.

Centers, Projects, and Initiatives

The Economic Studies Program houses a number of centers, projects, and initiatives that provide targeted expertise and actionable insights. These include:

• Center for Fiscal and Monetary Policy – Analysis of government budgets, central banking, and macroeconomic stabilization.
• Initiative on Opportunity and Mobility – Research on education, skills, and pathways to inclusive prosperity.
• Project on Climate and the Economy – Developing strategies for sustainable growth and energy transition.
• Center for Social Policy and Inequality – Exploring how social systems intersect with economic opportunity.

Commitment

The Economic Studies Program stands at the forefront of global economic policy debate. By uniting rigorous research with real-world policy engagement, the program equips leaders with the insights needed to navigate uncertainty, strengthen economic systems, and foster sustainable, inclusive prosperity worldwide.

3. Executive Policy Program

The CEO Policy Institute’s executive policy programs provide independent, rigorous research and practical policy analysis across the most pressing areas of global governance, economics, and development. Each program combines scholarly depth with policy relevance, producing innovative solutions to help leaders in government, business, and civil society navigate complexity and seize opportunities.

The programs are led by distinguished directors, supported by resident and non-resident scholars, and linked to specialized centers, projects, and initiatives. Together, they reflect the Institute’s mission to deliver a fact base for decision-making on issues critical to the world’s companies, policymakers, and institutions.

Program Goals

• Advance Evidence-Based Policy – Equip leaders with actionable research that translates into effective policy solutions.
• Promote Inclusive Growth and Governance – Ensure economic and institutional progress benefits societies broadly and equitably.
• Foster Global Resilience – Address cross-border challenges such as climate, technology, and security with practical recommendations.
• Shape Public Debate – Elevate informed discourse on economic, political, and development issues.

Core Areas of Focus

The CEO Policy Institute’s programs are organized around the following domains:

• Governance Studies – Strengthening democracy and improving institutions through research on political systems, legislative processes, polarization, executive leadership, and institutional reform.
• Economic Studies – Addressing fiscal and monetary policy, inclusive growth, economic mobility, climate-resilient development, and innovation-driven competitiveness.
• Foreign Policy Studies – Exploring geopolitics, trade, security, human rights, and the role of international institutions in a multipolar world.
• Development and Global Policy – Advancing sustainable development, education, health, urbanization, poverty reduction, and strategies to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Centers, Projects, and Initiatives

Each program contains specialized centers and projects that organize and focus research efforts. These initiatives bring together scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders to address both long-term structural challenges and immediate policy needs.

4. Global Economy and Development

The Global Economy and Development Program at the CEO Policy Institute addresses the transformational challenges and opportunities shaping the global order. While globalization has lifted millions out of poverty and fueled innovation, its benefits have been unevenly distributed, leaving societies exposed to rising inequality, geopolitical frictions, and the accelerating climate crisis.

Through an interdisciplinary team of scholars, issue-focused centers, and collaborations with global partners, the program delivers thought leadership, cutting-edge research, and actionable solutions. Its work informs policymakers, strengthens international cooperation, and engages the public on some of the most urgent challenges of our time.

Program Goals

• Advance Inclusive Global Growth – Leverage globalization and technology to expand opportunity while mitigating risks and disparities.
• Support Climate Action – Develop policy frameworks that promote sustainable growth, resilience, and adaptation to global climate change.
• Build Human Capital – Promote education and skills development to prepare workers and economies for the future of work.
• Finance Sustainable Development – Identify and scale strategies to fund the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and long-term global prosperity.
• Strengthen Global Governance – Renew multilateralism and international cooperation to manage cross-border challenges effectively.

Areas of Focus

The Global Economy and Development Program’s research agenda is organized into five interrelated priority areas:

• Technology for Inclusive Growth – Harnessing digital innovation, AI, and emerging technologies to drive development while addressing inequality.
• Climate Policy and Action – Designing global frameworks to reduce emissions, finance adaptation, and support a just transition to a low-carbon economy.
• Education and Skills Development – Expanding access to quality education and equipping populations with skills for the global knowledge economy.
• Sustainable Development and Financing – Identifying new financing models, partnerships, and institutional reforms to achieve the SDGs.
• Renewed Multilateralism – Reinforcing global governance systems to tackle shared challenges, from trade and finance to security and migration.

Commitment

The Global Economy and Development Program combines independent research with practical recommendations, equipping leaders across business, government, and international institutions with insights to address systemic global challenges. By focusing on inclusion, sustainability, and cooperation, the program helps shape a resilient and equitable global economy for the decades ahead.

5. Foreign Policy Program

The Foreign Policy Program at the CEO Policy Institute is a leading center for policy-relevant research and actionable solutions addressing the most pressing challenges to international peace, security, and stability. At a time of shifting global power dynamics, geopolitical tensions, and emerging security threats, the program provides independent, nonpartisan analysis that informs policymakers, shapes public debate, and advances practical strategies for global cooperation.

Program Goals

• Promote International Peace and Security – Develop policies to prevent conflict, manage crises, and build resilient global institutions.
• Inform Policymaking with Evidence-Based Insights – Provide rigorous, nonpartisan research that translates into actionable recommendations.
• Strengthen Global Cooperation – Explore pathways for renewed multilateralism and collaboration on cross-border challenges.
• Anticipate Emerging Threats – Identify and assess the implications of new risks, from cyberwarfare to climate-related security concerns.
• Engage the Public and Leaders Worldwide – Foster informed debate and expand understanding of global security and diplomacy.

Areas of Focus

The Foreign Policy Program’s scholars study a broad range of global challenges, with expertise spanning multiple disciplines and regions. Key areas include:

• Geopolitics and Global Power Shifts – Understanding the evolving roles of the U.S., China, Europe, and emerging powers in a multipolar world.
• Conflict Prevention and Resolution – Developing strategies to mitigate conflict, strengthen fragile states, and promote peacebuilding.
• International Security and Defense – Examining military strategy, alliances, deterrence, and arms control.
• Technology and Global Security – Addressing the security implications of cyber threats, AI, and emerging technologies.
• Climate and Security – Exploring the intersection of climate change, resource scarcity, migration, and geopolitical instability.
• Human Rights and Global Governance – Advancing policies that reinforce international law, democratic values, and global institutions.

Commitment

The Foreign Policy Program is committed to bridging the gap between scholarship and statecraft. By producing high-quality, independent research and convening leaders from around the world, the program advances realistic, actionable, and forward-looking solutions to safeguard peace and strengthen the international order.