The #2020APPAM Fall Research Conference will take place online, but it will also have some fantastic sponsors from across the policy research spectrum. Today we're shining a spotlight on Mathematica.
What is the mission of your organization?
To improve public well-being by bringing the highest standards of quality, objectivity, and excellence to bear on the provision of information collection and analysis to our clients.
What are your strongest areas of work?
Health, Human Services, International Research
In the past year what has been the most influential work from your researchers?
Together with our partners, Mathematica is applying our unique knowledge and experience at the intersection of data, analytics, policy, and practice to help address today’s complex challenges related to COVID-19. For example, we’ve worked with local boards of health to assess their contact tracing needs; help with heavy caseloads; and build capacity to scale contact-tracing efforts quickly, accurately, and effectively. We’re building technological solutions to reach identified cases, trace contacts, guide additional actions for cases and contacts, and understand community risk. By working in partnership with OnPacePlus, Mathematica has also implemented a workforce-readiness dashboard for employers to help ensure the safety and efficiency of their workforce. We’re also working with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, through the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Mid-Atlantic, to provide analytic support of its effort to produce guidance for reopening school buildings in the midst of the pandemic. This work will serve as the foundation for a publicly available tool that explores the spread of COVID-19 among students, faculty, and staff at K–12 schools. Additionally, we partnered with the Schultz Family Foundation to analyze the data on disconnected youth, focusing on youth unemployment and how this crisis has threatened the financial well-being of young people.
What is your employee breakdown in terms of highest degree achieved?
Self reported data looks like this: 256 employees have a Doctorate, while 542 have a Masters.
What is important for people to know about Mathematica?
Mathematica's reputation for quality and objectivity is based in no small part on our high-caliber staff. Employees at all levels are selected for their superior experience, education, and training. Most senior staff hold doctoral degrees and are nationally recognized in their fields, which include economics, sociology, survey research, public policy analysis, demography, education, and computer technology.