兰德公司-2017年度全球影响力回顾（英文）-2018.05-9页-1mb

RAND's 2017 Impact Summary

Core Content

RAND Corporation continued to make significant contributions to public policy in 2017, focusing on three tiers of performance: addressing top policy issues, reaching decisionmakers, and contributing to meaningful policy improvements. The organization’s research spanned a wide range of topics, including national security, health care, education, and international relations, with an emphasis on rigorous, objective analysis.

Main Areas of Impact

1. Dark Web Drug Markets

• RAND researchers analyzed eight of the largest dark markets, revealing a tripling of drug transactions and doubling of revenues since Silk Road.
• The findings influenced the dismantling of major dark web drug markets, including AlphaBay and Hansa.
• RAND's recommendations were directly used in these operations.
• A second study on illegal firearms, explosives, and ammunition was completed, and a new web-crawler tool is being developed to enhance data collection.

2. Transgender Military Personnel

• A 2016 RAND study informed the DoD's decision to end the ban on transgender service members.
• The report became the most viewed item on RAND's website and was cited in two federal court decisions regarding the Trump administration's attempt to reinstate the ban.
• The study provided empirical evidence that lifting the ban would have negligible effects on military readiness and cohesion.

3. Educational Reform in Texas

• RAND's research on expanding baccalaureate programs at community colleges helped overcome legislative gridlock.
• The report provided balanced analysis and suggested ways to address stakeholder concerns.
• The resulting legislation was signed by Governor Greg Abbott and included RAND's recommendations for aligning programs with workforce needs.

4. Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan

• RAND collaborated with Louisiana to develop a comprehensive plan for coastal restoration and flood risk reduction.
• Two key tools were developed: a planning tool and a hurricane flood risk model.
• The plan was unanimously passed by the state legislature and implemented in June 2017, despite political changes.

5. National Security and Base Resiliency

• RAND assessed vulnerabilities of U.S. air bases in the Pacific and recommended cost-effective solutions.
• These findings led to a $400 million investment in base-resiliency capabilities.
• RAND also developed a methodology to identify and mitigate cyberattack risks to military infrastructure, which is now being implemented across the Air Force.

6. Post-ISIS Stabilization in Iraq

• RAND warned that liberated areas like Mosul could fall back into violence without proper stabilization efforts.
• The report recommended 14 actions for post-liberation stabilization and influenced the UN's new program for Iraq.
• The findings are shaping future multilateral efforts on social reconciliation and security reform.

7. Health Insurance and Policy Reform

• RAND used the COMPARE microsimulation model to advise Oregon and Vermont on health care expansion.
• The model also helped analyze cost-cutting proposals for reducing provider payments.
• States are interested in using these models for legislative changes in 2018.

8. U.S. Army Authorized Stockage Lists

• RAND improved the accuracy of ASLs by incorporating data from Army IT systems.
• This led to better readiness, deployment capabilities, and cost savings, with potential annual savings of up to $100 million.

9. Canadian Marijuana Legalization

• RAND provided research and policy advice to Canada as it prepared to legalize marijuana.
• The work included consulting with provinces on sales, taxation, and regulation.

10. Improving Education in Louisiana

• A 2016 RAND study showed that Louisiana teachers were more effective at implementing Common Core standards due to new training methods.
• The model is being tested in seven other states, with RAND continuing to evaluate its impact.

11. Biosecurity and Next-Generation Biohazards

• RAND examined the risks of bioweapons in the context of advancing biotechnology.
• The research focused on the technical capabilities of bad actors, the effectiveness of biosecurity measures, and the development of biosurveillance technologies.

Key Information

• Impact Tier 1: RAND addressed major policy issues, such as drug trafficking on the dark web, military readiness, and coastal restoration.
• Impact Tier 2: Findings reached key decisionmakers, including the U.S. Department of Defense, the UN, and state officials.
• Impact Tier 3: RAND's work contributed to policy changes, such as the end of the U.S. transgender military ban and the development of Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan.

Conclusion

RAND's 2017 research and analysis continued to shape policy and practice across the globe, demonstrating its commitment to quality, objectivity, and public service. The organization's work was instrumental in addressing complex challenges, from national security to health care and education, and is expected to have lasting effects in 2018 and beyond.