🏫What will the lab do?
The lab is led by Beia Spiller, fellow and director of the Transportation Program at RFF; Michael Toman, senior fellow at RFF; Kate Whitefoot, professor at Carnegie Mellon
University’s College of Engineering; and Nicole Smith, associate professor in the mining engineering department at the Colorado School of Mines.
The lab will involve bi-weekly meetings, presentations and Q&A sessions by students, small group brainstorming sessions, discussions of policy-relevant topics, and networking
opportunities. Throughout the year, the scholars will work together to produce policy-focused articles. The lab will also inform students of grant funding opportunities, proposed and upcoming legislation, and conferences. By participating in the lab, students
will be able to improve their research questions and approaches and, in turn, the policy recommendations that emerge from their work. At the end of the academic year, RFF will host a virtual, public workshop where the students will present their work to a
broad audience.
For more information about the lab and its motivations, read Spiller’s 2024 Common
Resources blog post.
⚒️ How can I get involved?
The team is searching for a diverse group of students across a broad range of interests, including but not limited to engineering, economics, policy, anthropology, and sociology.
This second class of scholars will consist of 12 to 15 PhD students who are conducting independent research in relevant areas.
Students interested in participating in the lab should apply using the instructions on the lab’s webpage.
Applications are due by May 31, 2026. If you have questions, please contact Beia
Spiller.
