R. J. Briggs

Economist; Professor of Policy Analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School

Off Site Office

Education

B.A.S. in economics, UC Davis; B.A.S. in mathematics, UC Davis; Ph.D. in economics, University of Texas

Overview

R. J. Briggs is an economist at the RAND Corporation. His research focuses on cost estimation for disaster recovery, catastrophic risk and public policy, and predictive modeling for long-range strategic planning. Briggs has worked on a diverse array of RAND projects, from modeling the returns of education to measuring the efficacy of U.S. Naval communications networks. Most recently, he contributed to economic modeling for FEMA cost estimation efforts related to recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and USVI, developed a model for efficient ventilator allocation in response to COVID-19, and analyzed issues related to the introduction of water markets in New Zealand.

Research Focus

Previous Positions

Senior Economist, Praedicat Inc.; Assistant Professor of Energy and Environmental Economics, The Pennsylvania State University

Recent Projects

COVID-19 Recovery Costs Application Review
SAFETY Act Evaluation
Implementation Guidance for the RAND Project AIR FORCE Electric Power Resilience Valuation Framework

Selected Publications

Tingstad, Abbie; Wilson, Michael T.; Anania, Katherine; Fischbach, Jordan R.; Resetar, Susan A.; Savitz, Scott; Van Abel, Kristin; Briggs, R. J.; Davenport, Aaron C.; Pézard, Stéphanie; Sereyko, Kristin; Theel, Jonathan; Thibault, Marc,; Ulin, Edward, Developing new future scenarios for the U.S. Coast Guard's Evergreen strategic foresight program, RAND Corporation (RR-3147-DHS), 2020

Raffensperger, John F.; Brauner, Marygail K.; Briggs, R. J., Planning hospital needs for ventilators and respiratory therapists in the COVID-19 crisis, (PE-A228-1), 2020

Preston, Benjamin Lee; LaTourrette, Tom; Broyles, James R.; Briggs, R. J.; Catt, David; Nelson, Christopher D.; Ringel, Jeanne S.; Waxman, Daniel A., Updating the costs of compliance for California's hospital seismic safety standards, (RR-3059-CHA), 2019

Honors & Awards

Key Contributor Coin, RAND

Commentary

Arming the Department of Defense's Environmental Liabilities Program
A new U.S. emphasis on sustainable environmental conditions is emerging just as budget pressures are increasing. The DoD could use this as an opportunity to develop a systematic approach to addressing its environmental liabilities.
Jun 23, 2021 RealClearDefense

Publications

Research Brief
Characteristics of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the U.S. Army: Implications for Prevention Efforts
This research brief highlights top-line findings from two projects that have implications for strategies to prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault in the U.S. Army.
Aug 2, 2021
Report
Organizational Characteristics Associated with Risk of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the U.S. Army
Researchers extended previous analyses that produced estimates of sexual assault and harassment risk across installations and commands. The extended analyses showed variation in risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment across groups of soldiers.
Jun 18, 2021
Research Brief
Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the U.S. Army: Where Cases are Highest and Why
This research summarizes estimates of sexual assault risk and sexual harassment risk across U.S. Army installations and command, showing variation in these risks across groups of soldiers.
Jun 18, 2021
Report
Developing New Future Scenarios for the U.S. Coast Guard's Evergreen Strategic Foresight Program
The U.S. Coast Guard's Evergreen strategic foresight initiative works to identify emerging service challenges that require focus in the near term. This report describes an approach to developing future scenarios to aid in that process.
May 27, 2020
Report
Planning Hospital Needs for Ventilators and Respiratory Therapists in the COVID-19 Crisis
The coronavirus disease 2019 crisis has caused shortages in ventilators and respiratory therapists, increasing risk for patients. The authors describe a model they developed to allocate these resources among hospitals to minimize patient wait time.
May 13, 2020
Report
Updating the Costs of Compliance for California's Hospital Seismic Safety Standards
California Senate Bill 1953 requires structural and nonstructural upgrades to hospital buildings to enhance resilience to seismic events. This report estimates the costs to hospitals of compliance, with a focus on the 2030 deadline.
Mar 28, 2019
Report
Examining Gaps in Mathematics Achievement Among Racial-Ethnic Groups, 1972-1992
Examines several nationally representative senior high school student cohorts between the early 1970s to early 1990s to understand trends in the mathematics scores of these different racial-ethnic groups.
Mar 3, 2005
Report
Challenges of Conflicting School Reforms: Effects of New American Schools in a High-Poverty District
During the 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 school years, RAND assessed the effects of NAS designs on classroom practice and student achievement in a sample of schools in a high-poverty district.
2002