#2023APPAM Spotlight: Abt Associates

The #2023APPAM Fall Research Conference will feature some fantastic sponsors from across the policy research spectrum. Today we're shining a spotlight on Abt Associates.

What is the mission of your organization?
 

Abt Associates’ mission is to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide.

What are your strongest areas of work?

Abt Associates is a global consulting and research firm that uses data and bold thinking to tackle society’s most complex challenges. For nearly 60 years, we’ve asked unconventional questions and pioneered solutions to advance our mission: improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. Whether it’s climate change and vector-borne disease or economic growth and equity—today’s crises cross borders. Our teams in the U.S. and more than 50 countries cross boundaries and disciplines to deliver on equitable outcomes and lasting change.

From advancing good health and just environmental and social policy to crafting digital, data-centric solutions or bolstering economic security, we partner with clients and communities to improve their opportunities, resilience to shocks, and outcomes. All aspects of our work are rooted in the core principle of “nothing about us without us,” meaning that those most impacted are key participants and decision makers to ensure that the systems governing their lives meet their needs in terms of access, rights, opportunities, and outcomes.

In the past year, what has been the most influential work from your researchers?

Our experts tackle complex challenges every day. A few highlights include:

• Tackling racial bias in the U.S. low-wage labor market
• Supporting California authorities in a novel approach to temporary housing that will inform national strategies for years to come.
• Strengthening evidence for innovative strategies to improve education outcomes, particularly for historically-marginalized students.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of apprenticeships in increasing diversity and earnings, especially for workers historically underrepresented in these programs.
• Conducting mixed-methods, impact evaluations of guaranteed income (GI) pilot programs in eight cities across the country. GI programs provide cash—rather than services or goods—directly to individuals, with no strings attached.
• Together with the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, City University of New York, we launched a graduate certificate program to promote diversity and equity in the field of policy analysis.
• Evaluating more than a decade of Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) pilots, paving the way for Congress to pass a bipartisan bill in December 2022 that created a permanent nationwide program for more than 29 million families.

If you're hiring, what makes your organization a great place to work?

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000 people in over 50 countries working together and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints–joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within--we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

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