OUR IMPACT
At Sanford, research isn’t just about producing knowledge—it’s about driving impact. Our faculty lead groundbreaking work on democracy, health, climate, technology, and equity, tackling the issues that define our future. They shape policy and public understanding while mentoring the next generation of changemakers. Whether developing strategies to combat misinformation, informing global energy transitions, or designing smarter health systems, Sanford scholars connect academic insight with real-world action.
Collaborating across Duke and with partners around the globe, Sanford is a hub for bold, interdisciplinary research. And with your support, we’re growing—attracting visionary faculty, expanding research centers, and deepening student-faculty collaboration. Together, we’re building a future where policy makes people’s lives better—locally, nationally, and globally.
Exploring the Future of AI at Sanford: A Fireside Chat with OpenAI Leaders
Sanford has partnered with OpenAI leaders to explore AI’s evolving societal role, potential for innovation, and ethical considerations.
Economic Benefits of Water Pollution Cleanups Outweigh Costs
Federal grants cleaning up Great Lakes Areas of Concern significantly boosted nearby housing prices (within ~12 miles), according to research by Robyn Meeks.
Researchers Mine Fact-Check Insights Data to Explore Many Facets of Misinfo
The Duke Reporters’ Lab offers the free Fact-Check Insights dataset, used by researchers globally for studies ranging from AI benchmarking to online content moderation analysis.
Duke Partners With OpenAI, Other Universities To Find Best Uses For AI in Research
Sanford School professor David Hoffman and Fuqua professor Ronnie Chatterji will lead the initiative called Deep Tech at Duke
Impact Report: Technology Policy
Balancing privacy, ethics and technology
New Research: Americans Willing to Pay Nearly $100 Billion to Reduce Gun Violence
Research by Philip J. Cook and Marc Jeuland reveals a public willingness to pay almost $100 billion to achieve a 20% reduction in gun violence.
Jonathan Zhang: Driving Innovative Solutions in Public Policy and Health Economics
Fusing both quantitative methods and policy analysis, Jonathan Zhang tackles real-world challenges with precision and insight. He champions innovative solutions in public policy and health economics.
Impact Report: Health Policy
Policy paths and perspectives during the pandemic
Ivan Urlaub (MPP’04 MEM’04): Policy as Possibility
The leader in sustainability talks about how Sanford taught him the potential of good policy.
Impact Report: Energy & Environment Policy
Managing climate change and sustaining what nature has provided is a complex problem requiring understandings from multiple perspectives and close coordination among groups within and across every nation on earth. As this is vital, and urgent, we must learn how to overcome those challenges.