Diversity at RAND

Diversity Statement

RAND's stature and success at tackling the most complex policy problems can be traced to the institution's core values of quality and objectivity. As we have said in many settings, those values are reinforced when our work can draw on a diversity of talents, experiences, and perspectives.

This is true for several reasons. RAND is a creative organization that thrives on new ideas and spirited debate. Homogeneity along any dimension works against these objectives. Second, to carry out our mission of improving policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis, we have to address the practicalities of alternative policy prescriptions. Our research teams must be able to understand the effects of policies and decisions on all parts of society. Homogeneity works against such understanding, too. Third, it is essential that we avoid any actual or apparent connection to any particular ideological or partisan position. Diversity helps guard against that.

In our view, there are two ingredients—both essential—to the kind of diversity that reinforces quality and objectivity. The first is a diverse staff and an environment in which effective teamwork is a defining advantage. Thus, we need a staff that is diverse in terms of academic training, work experience, political and ideological outlook, as well as race, gender, and ethnicity. But, since we can never hope to have all skills, experiences, and viewpoints represented among our staff, the second is a commitment to involving others from outside the institution to supplement and strengthen the diversity of the RAND staff. Because diversity is so vital to the core values at the root of RAND's success, we must have unsurpassed commitments to both ingredients.

Michael Rich, President and CEO
November 2011