About the
Los Altos Institution
The world's first high school think tank
Who We Are
The Los Altos Institution is the world's first high school public policy think tank. Join us in pioneering the transformation of research to redefine public policy for tomorrow's global leaders.
The Los Altos Institution on Politics, Policy, Law, and the Economy is America's first high schooler-run and oriented policy think tank and focuses on research around politics, all forms of public policy, law, and economics. The Los Altos Institution consists of research fellows who are currently in high school and is advised by the Board of Overseers, adults who have successfully led organizations similar to the Institution in the past.
Our research fellows are assisted by a team of research cohort members, including professors, college students, and industry-renowned professionals. The Institution hosts events, publishes research, and works to build better policy education and dialogue with a global audience.
At The Los Altos Institution, we're shaping the future of public policy by revolutionizing research for the world leaders of the next generation.
Our Story
Jon Alvin Hayman was a longtime teacher at Egan Junior High School when he taught Maulik Dhakal for his 8th grade history class. Hayman had been a lawyer, public servant, and entrepreneur and was a strong believer in breaking down echo chambers and encouraging his students to critically think and research before formulating their own thoughts.
He instilled those values in the thousands of students he taught over the years, giving Dhakal the inspiration to open a think tank for young students after Hayman's passing in November of 2022. This made the Los Altos Institution the world's first high school think tank, providing a forum for young people to release their research and commentary out into the world.
The Directorship of the Institution is named in Hayman's honor, and it will continue to be led by the Jon Alvin Hayman Director.
Institutional Priorities
The Los Altos Institution's research priorities aim to address some of the world's biggest challenges, including building strong democratic systems; expanding economic prosperity; upholding a system of good local governance; achieving a clear-eyed view about geopolitical relations throughout the world; and grappling with the impacts of rapid technological innovation on governments and economies. The Los Altos Institution is also unique among policy think tanks for its commitment to drawing on young people to develop research and aim to improve society.
The Center on Economic Policy
advances research on the economic forces shaping education and opportunity and is led by Senior Fellows Drona Gaddam and Eli Orbach
The Center on Local Policy
supports research and analysis on local governance and public decision-making by bringing together data, institutional knowledge, and policy practice.
The Center on Global Policy
researches geopolitical relationships across the world, with a focus on the strategic and institutional forces that influence international outcomes and is led by Senior Fellows John Liu and Hamdan Khan.
The Center on Science and Policy
is working on developing science policy recommendations for international institutions and policymakers and is led by Senior Fellows Julia Xu and Devesh Aggarwal.
The Center on Emerging Technology
examines how new technologies interact with institutions, governance, and society and is led by Senior Fellows Ava Litz and Gabriel Kirkwood.
The Center on Health Policy
examines how health systems, technology, and equity shape access to care and health outcomes. It is led by Senior Fellows Eve Ang and Divaa Uthkarsha.
The Center on Education
develops evidence-based insights to improve access, quality, and student success across education systems. It is led by Senior Fellows Vibhav Javali and Mahitha Konjeti.
Meet the Team
This section needs content. The live site has a "Meet the Team" section, but its member names, roles, and headshots could not be read from the page text. The Institution is advised by a Board of Overseers and led by the Jon Alvin Hayman Director.
Send the current leadership roster and headshots and this section can be built properly, rather than filled with names sourced from third-party directories.
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