A Student-Run Policy Think Tank
The Commons Group is a student-run, non-partisan health policy think tank designed to operate with the rigor, structure, and accountability expected by institutional partners. We dedicate sustained attention to complex issues that are often under-resourced or deprioritized within traditional policy cycles. We operate without institutional or financial incentives that shape outcomes, allowing us to approach each project with analytical independence and methodological transparency.
Our work is grounded in structured oversight, clear ownership, and iterative review ensuring that every policy brief reflects both technical rigor and real-world relevance. This positioning allows us to serve as a reliable research partner while bringing fresh perspective, intellectual curiosity, and focused execution to the health policy challenges we examine.
How We Operate
Each Commons Group project begins with a clearly defined policy question, identified through partner conversations, community needs, or emerging gaps in the health policy landscape. We prioritize projects that are narrowly scoped, decision-relevant, and capable of producing actionable insight within a 10-12 week timeframe.
Once a project is selected, a dedicated policy pod is formed and led by a Managing Fellow, with oversight from executive leadership and advisors. The pod conducts a structured evidence review, assembles relevant data, and evaluates policy options through a non-partisan lens. Partner’s are kept updated throughout the process to ensure their needs and wants are kept at the forefront and addressed in the final deliverables.
The Commons Group 