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, alumni of the Institution who guide its strategic vision.

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; achieving a clear-eyed view about geopolitical relations throughout the world; grounding environmental policy in science; 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.

Economics

studies the forces that shape prosperity — markets, labour, trade and the institutions that govern them. It is led by Eli Orbach and Henry Conway.

Global Policy

researches geopolitical relationships across the world and the strategic and institutional forces that influence international outcomes. It is led by Athan Joshi and Hamdan Khan.

Environmental Policy

grounds environmental policy in science — climate, energy, land and water — and studies how that evidence reaches the institutions that legislate on it. It is led by Nicholas Munkhbaatar.

Emerging Technology

examines how new technologies interact with institutions, governance and society. It is led by Aryan Aggarwal.

International Political Economy

examines where economics and international politics meet — trade, development, and the bargaining between states that shapes both. It is led by Arnav Maheshwari.

Leadership Team

The Leadership Team runs the Institution day to day and holds its officer roles. It is distinct from the Board of Overseers — the body of Institution alumni who guide its strategic vision, oversee the leadership team, and renew fellows' terms.