Josie Schafer, Ph.D.
Director
Center for Public Affairs Research
College of Public Affairs and Community Service
Josie Schafer, Ph.D., is a recognized expert in public policy research and analysis, with a focus on community and economic development.
Biography
Schafer is well known for her exploration of demographic, workforce, and housing trends in Nebraska. Schafer leverages her data and research expertise to identify effective ways to share and disseminate information, providing timely and meaningful insights to governance leaders across the state and nation.
Her work includes high-profile projects like the '6 Regions, One Nebraska' initiative with the Office of the Governor, Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and the annual preparation of a series of policy briefs at the request of the Nebraska State Legislature’s Planning Committee.
Additionally, she works with a range of community-centric organizations to provide strategic research efforts, including recent collaborations with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Nebraska Tech Collaborative, and UNO’s Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC). Her research has been featured in academic journals, including the Journal of Public and Nonprofit Affairs, and Public Performance and Management Review.
In the News
“Job opportunities, not taxes, top of mind when people migrate, UNO researcher says” - The Nebraska Examiner
“'It pays to be flexible:' Small businesses do their best to adapt as pandemic stretches on” - The Omaha World-Herald
“Brain drain: A deeper look into why Nebraskans are leaving the state” - WOWT
Areas of Expertise
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