Bridging the gap between government & community for policy impact.
government
community
UC Berkeley’s Possibility Lab
Our team 
of researchers and practitioners works with state and local 
partners to design, pilot, and scale new 
models of community participation for 
public-sector problem solving.
of researchers and practitioners works with state and local partners to design, pilot, and scale new models of community participation for public-sector problem solving.
What
We Do
We use rigorous research to understand the potential of new ideas to improve people’s lives.
Evidence-based Civic Engagement
Public policies work best when community participation is meaningful and widespread and when community input directly informs public-sector decisions.
But building a political system where everyone has a voice requires finding new ways to listen. We envision a future where the people closest to problems have a seat at the table when policy decisions get made, where public policy is evidence-based and community-driven, and where robust civic engagement is the norm.
Read More About Us
Our Partners
The I.M.P.A.C.T. Model
Many Americans feel disconnected from democratic life, deeply distrustful of public institutions, and isolated from one another.
At the same time, America faces increasingly complex social problems that defy easy solutions. In this context, government and community leaders must fundamentally rethink their approach to policymaking by exploring new forms of democratic participation.
See our processThe I.M.P.A.C.T. Model
UC Berkeley’s Possibility Lab is building a policy laboratory that bridges government and community.
We do this by connecting public deliberation to decision-making at the highest levels of state and local government.
The Possibility Lab’s I.M.P.A.C.T. Model offers a systematic process for clarifying the purpose of civic engagement, identifying partners and participants, choosing the appropriate method, and carrying out evidence-based strategies to arrive at community-informed policy solutions for public-sector leaders.
Learn More About The Model
State of Engagement Summit
“Government works best when residents see themselves reflected in the decisions being made and have real opportunities to shape outcomes”
Jesse Melgar, a co-author of the report and senior advisor at the UC Berkeley Possibility Lab
Watch as we present findings from our State of Engagement report to nearly 100 state practitioners at the State of Engagement Summit on Friday, October 10, in Sacramento, co-hosted and co-designed by the Lab in partnership with Governor Gavin Newsom’s Senior Advisor for Civic Engagement & Social Innovation, as well as the State of Engagement Planning Committee comprised of state government practitioners.
Explore the microsite