--- title: Custom Programs description: Develop talent and strengthen analytical capacity through a tailored custom program at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. --- # Custom Programs Rooted in the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy’s rigorous, evidence-based approach to learning, our custom programs—led by faculty experts—are designed to elevate people, strengthen organizations, and deliver lasting results. [Start the Conversation ](https://forms.monday.com/forms/d9b07e63989afb303627385acb6efdfd?r=use1) ![050319_1981-(1)_web](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hubfs/Marketing/Get%20to%20Know%20Harris%20emails/The%20Keller%20Center/050319_1981-(1)_web.png) #### At Harris Public Policy, we understand that no two organizations face the same challenges, and off-the-shelf solutions rarely deliver measurable or lasting impact. That’s why we co-create executive learning experiences that are responsive, rigorous, and results-oriented. ##### Harris is uniquely positioned to help partners build capacity in these areas: **Leading with clarity, purpose, and analytical rigor** Equip leaders to navigate complexity with confidence, drawing on data, critical thinking, and evidence to guide strategic decisions. **Translating data into insight and action** Build fluency in data usage and management, not just to inform decisions, but also to shape strategy, evaluate outcomes, and solve real-world problems with precision and speed. **Driving institutional change through strategy and alignment** Foster cross-functional collaboration and shared purpose by aligning people, systems, and strategy around goals and evidence-based practices. **Innovating through evidence and experimentation** Embed a culture of learning by applying Harris’ disciplined approach to testing ideas, measuring outcomes, and scaling what works—turning experimentation into lasting innovation. ## Our Approach ### Designed for Impact. Delivered for Results. Our four-pronged framework ensures that every custom engagement delivers value where it matters most. ![Icons_Yellow-Research](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/CDO/Hire%20Harris/Icons_Yellow-Research.png?width=100&height=100&name=Icons_Yellow-Research.png) **Discovery & Design:** Our partnerships begin with a strategic needs assessment, understanding your goals, pain points, and workforce, then develop a program structure that fits. ![Icons_Yellow-SKills](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/CDO/Hire%20Harris/Icons_Yellow-SKills.png?width=100&height=100&name=Icons_Yellow-SKills.png) **Participant-Centered Learning:** Whether online, in-person, or hybrid, our programs emphasize experiential learning, peer exchange, and application to real-world problems. ![Icons_Yellow-Team](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/CDO/Hire%20Harris/Icons_Yellow-Team.png?width=100&height=100&name=Icons_Yellow-Team.png) **Faculty-Led Customization:** We curate a faculty team that leverages academic rigor and practical relevance.   ![Icons_Yellow-Measure](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/CDO/Hire%20Harris/Icons_Yellow-Measure.png?width=100&height=100&name=Icons_Yellow-Measure.png) **Measurement & Growth****:** We lead the measurement and evaluation process, delivering the insights you need to refine strategies, scale what works, and sustain success over time. ![ethanbuenodemesquita-portrait-byjasonsmith-5028](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/ethanbuenodemesquita-portrait-byjasonsmith-5028.jpeg?width=1200&height=1200&name=ethanbuenodemesquita-portrait-byjasonsmith-5028.jpeg) *Custom programs allow us to bring the breadth of Harris' expertise directly to our partners. By combining world-class research with real-world challenges, we design experiences that inspire new thinking, sharpen skills, and empower participants to lead with confidence.* ### Ethan Bueno de Mesquita Dean and Sydney Stein Professor, The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy ## Areas of Expertise ### Learn from world-renowned faculty and practitioners with expertise in a range of high-impact topics, including: Applied Economics Behavioral Insights Data Analytics & Visualization ESG, Climate Adaptation & Sustainability Evidence-Based Decision Making Leadership, Strategy & Negotiation Machine Learning & AI Governance Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact Evaluation Municipal Finance & Budgeting Policy Communication & Storytelling Political Economy & Institutional Design ![David Presenting](https://7087380.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7087380/hubfs/The%20Writing%20Program/David%20Presenting.png?width=1200&length=1200&name=David%20Presenting.png) ![DPSS AC_0561](https://7087380.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7087380/hubfs/Credential%20Programs/DPSS%20AC_0561.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=DPSS%20AC_0561.jpg) ![Copy of IMG_1448](https://7087380.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7087380/hubfs/Credential%20Programs/Copy%20of%20IMG_1448.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=Copy%20of%20IMG_1448.jpg) ![Networking](https://7087380.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7087380/hubfs/Credential%20Programs/Networking.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=Networking.jpg) ![z3O5A7460](https://7087380.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7087380/hubfs/z3O5A7460.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=z3O5A7460.jpg) ![austin_wright_headshot 2025](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/austin_wright_headshot%202025.jpeg?width=580&height=580&name=austin_wright_headshot%202025.jpeg) Meet Our Faculty ### Austin Wright Austin L. Wright is an Associate Professor  and Director of Strategic Initiatives at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. [ Visit his full profile ](https://harris.uchicago.edu/directory/austin-wright) ![ariel_kalil](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/ariel_kalil.jpg?width=580&height=580&name=ariel_kalil.jpg) Meet Our Faculty ### Ariel Kalil Ariel Kalil is the Daniel Levin Professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, Director of the Center for Human Potential and Public Policy, and Co-director the Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab. [ Visit her full profile ](https://harris.uchicago.edu/directory/ariel-kalil) ![jens-ludwig](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/jens-ludwig.jpg?width=600&height=600&name=jens-ludwig.jpg) Meet Our Faculty ### Jens Ludwig Jens Ludwig is the Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago, Pritzker Director of the University of Chicago’s Crime Lab, and Co-director of the Education Lab. [ Visit his full profile ](https://harris.uchicago.edu/directory/jens-ludwig) ![Justin Marlowe](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Justin%20Marlowe.jpg?width=580&height=580&name=Justin%20Marlowe.jpg) Meet Our Faculty ### Justin Marlowe Justin Marlowe is a Research Professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and Director of the Center for Municipal Finance. [ Visit his full profile ](https://harris.uchicago.edu/directory/justin-marlowe) ![rebecca-wolfe_headshot](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/rebecca-wolfe_headshot.jpg?width=580&height=580&name=rebecca-wolfe_headshot.jpg) Meet Our Faculty ### Rebecca Wolfe Rebecca Wolfe is a Senior Lecturer at the  University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, Executive Director of the International Policy and Development area,  and the Academic Lead for the Master of Public Policy program. [ Visit his full profile ](https://harris.uchicago.edu/directory/rebecca-wolfe) ![John Burrows 2024](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/John%20Burrows%202024.jpg?width=850&height=850&name=John%20Burrows%202024.jpg) Meet Our Faculty ### John Burrows John Burrows is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and an Associate Fellow at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. [ Visit his full profile ](https://harris.uchicago.edu/directory/john-burrows) ![tn3_coleman](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/tn3_coleman.jpg?width=450&height=463&name=tn3_coleman.jpg) Meet Our Faculty ### Thomas Coleman Thomas Coleman is a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and Executive Director of the Center for Economic Policy. [ Visit his full profile ](https://harris.uchicago.edu/directory/thomas-coleman) ![David Chrisinger](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshots/David%20Chrisinger.jpg?width=580&height=580&name=David%20Chrisinger.jpg) Meet Our Faculty ### David Chrisinger David Chrisinger is the Executive Director of the Harris Writing Workshop, where he leads school-wide efforts to strengthen student writing. [ Visit his full profile ](https://harris.uchicago.edu/directory/david-chrisinger) ![susanmayer2024](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/susanmayer2024.jpg?width=580&height=580&name=susanmayer2024.jpg) Meet Our Faculty ### Susan Mayer Susan E. Mayer is a professor emeritus at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and the College, and she served as dean of Harris from 2002 to 2009.  [ Visit her full profile ](https://harris.uchicago.edu/directory/susan-mayer) ## Four ways to engage Harris Public Policy offers flexible collaboration models that align with your unique needs and deliver measurable, long-term benefits. ## **Create a Fully Customized Program**   Partner with Harris to design a transformative learning experience tailored to your organization’s unique challenges. Build new solutions or expand existing programs with content that delivers measurable value and lasting change.  ## **Tailor an Existing Open Enrollment Program**  Choose from our portfolio of proven programs and customize the curriculum to focus precisely on your team’s priorities. Combine programs to create a powerful, targeted learning journey that addresses complex organizational needs. ## **Enroll Your Team in Open Enrollment Programs**  Access our world-class programs covering leadership, strategy, data science, and finance. This turnkey option provides expert-led training that equips your team with skills needed today, with group discounts available for five or more participants. ## **Partner Directly with Faculty on Research and Innovation**  Collaborate with Harris faculty to advance research, generate actionable insights, and co-create knowledge that supports your strategic priorities. This partnership enriches your programs and fuels evidence-based decision making. Harris Public Policy Custom Programs ### Start Your Custom Learning Journey Today. [ Connect with the team ](https://forms.monday.com/forms/d9b07e63989afb303627385acb6efdfd?r=use1) ## What participants are saying “As an urban planner, I need to have a strong foundation in municipal finance. The level of depth that this course provided was exactly what I was looking for. I appreciated the broad overview of several subjects, and I will immediately be able to start applying what I learned from the course to my daily work.” ##### **Municipal Finance Cohort Participant, USA** Studying at Harris was like opening a window to a myriad of complex, global issues. It was challenging, rewarding, and profoundly enlightening. It required us to apply that knowledge in the real world, and I emerged not just with a certificate, but a new lens to view and influence the world around me.” ##### Graduate Development Program Participant, Saudi Arabia I enjoyed every part of the program, from the lectures to the group work and the policy activities; it felt like [a] great hands-on experience and a perfect way to learn policy-making and economics in a collaborative environment. This is one of my favorite online programs I have taken.” ##### **Policy Immersion Summer Program Participant, Saudi Arabia ** ## Real Solutions for real world challenges ### Explore examples of our custom programs in action. ### Case Study: Driving Applied Policy Training for a Government Workforce Development Organization **Client**: A prominent government office focused on workforce development. **Challenge**: Preparing early-career professionals with a comprehensive, policy-oriented training experience that is both academically rigorous and deeply applied. **Solution**: A rigorous, multi-month training program led by a rotating team of expert instructors. The program combined in-depth instruction with a capstone project, enabling participants to apply specialized knowledge to real-world policy challenges. **Outcome**: 88% of participants reported high satisfaction, and 87% said the capstone deepened their understanding of applied policy research. ### Case Study: Strengthening Economic Policy Capacity for a Leading Think Tank **Client:** A leading think tank specializing in energy economics and public policy innovation. **Challenge: **Enhancing foundational knowledge of public policy and microeconomics for senior professionals, enabling them to integrate strategic economic thinking into their roles effectively. **Solution: **A three-day program delivering targeted training on microeconomics principles, incorporating case studies relevant to the participants’ cultural and regional context to enhance practical application. **Outcome: **87% gained practical tools and ideas directly relevant to their work. ### Case Study: Advancing Data Analytics for a Global Economic Development NGO **Client:** A global NGO focused on economic development. **Challenge:** Strengthening participants’ data analytics capabilities to enhance impact assessment and inform evidence-based decision making. **Solution: **A multi-session, immersive program combining interactive lessons on public policy analysis, economics, and survey design with practical, hands-on activities. **Outcome: **85% of participants applied new analytical tools within six months, improving project evaluations. ![Shilin Liu](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/shilin%20l%20headshot-1.png?width=498&height=453&name=shilin%20l%20headshot-1.png) Harris Executive Education Leadership ### Shilin Liu *Associate Dean of Executive Education and Partnership* Shilin oversees the School’s non-degree and executive-education programs, steers mission-aligned partnerships with universities, governments, and nonprofits, and guides the flagship Harris Social Impact Fellowship. Her work centers on creating learning opportunities that connect evidence-based policy insight with real-world challenges while fostering collaboration across the University and around the globe. [ Email Shilin (shilin@uchicago.edu) ](https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/shilin@uchicago.edu)