Programs

Introduction to Public Policy

July 12 to July 30, 2027

Policy impacts every aspect of our daily lives—from the air we breathe to the education we receive, the technology we use, and the communities we live in. Making the Rules that Rule Us: Introduction to Public Policy is a transformative program designed to empower curious minds to understand and influence these critical decisions as future leaders in the public or social sectors. By developing analytical tools and tackling real policy challenges through the research project-based learning experience (named as “Action Lab”), participants will gain the skills and knowledge needed to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond with a tangible deliverable to showcase in their profile. This program not only provides the tools to tackle pressing global challenges but also inspires participants to become thoughtful, informed, and responsible global citizens.

Students will gain an introduction to the policy making process and the role of the policy maker in designing, implementing and evaluating public policies. Each step in this process requires rigorous data analysis. Students will develop basic analytical tools and apply them in a hands-on policy analysis culminating in a capstone presentation. The afternoon Action Lab will guide students through the process in using data to make the case for a policy of their choosing. Students will engage in spirited debates on policy topics, putting into practice the tools they are leaning to use and supporting arguments with credible evidence.

We will begin by reviewing foundational concepts in economics and statistics, which we will then apply to the domain of public policy. Topics to be covered in class include defining and measuring well-being and ethical issues related to public policies, a description of the tools of the policy maker including monetary and non-monetary incentives, behavioral tools, conditionality in policies, and targeted policies.

Available for current high school students who are at least 15 years old
This program is for high school students passionate about societal change, public policy, data analysis, and making a difference in the world. No prior experience in policy studies or economics is required—just a desire to learn and make an impact.
The program's medium of instruction will be in English, so students should be comfortable in an English-speaking learning environment
Applicants must be Hong Kong residents or be eligible to study in Hong Kong during the program period

Classes will be held Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 14:30. While each day varies slightly in format, a typical day includes:

Time	Activity
9:00 – 11:45	Morning Session (incl. 20-minute break)
11:45 – 12:45	Lunch
12:45 – 14:00	Afternoon Session (Action Lab)
14:00 – 16:00	Optional Group Work/Office Hours

The program will integrate special events and guest speakers to provide additional real-world perspectives. The program concludes with individual and group presentations during the final two days.

Morning lecture content:

The process for developing the policy project.
Evidence in the policy making process
Types of policies and implementation tools
Conditional and unconditional policies
Labor market and human capital policies
From evidence to action – scaling up a policy
Introduction to policy evaluation.
Market failure & cost benefit
Equity or efficiency
Elasticity and trade-offs
Ethics of behavioral tools
A policy interview – developing a narrative

Action lab content:

Sampling strategies
Probability
Modeling the analysis.
Nuances in data analysis on the road to causality: nonlinearity, sample statistics, correlation
Types of variables
Ethics of data collection and analysis
Analysis of variance
Writing a research brief and a policy brief
Data visualization
AI and other data tools

For each of our Summer Academy programs, students will also have the opportunity to participate in sessions led by a UChicago admissions counselor to better understand the highly selective admissions process practiced by U.S. colleges and universities. Such sessions will give students a window into the role that essays play in the application and how an application is holistically reviewed for admission.

Participants who successfully complete the Introduction to Public Policy will be eligible for the UChicago Summer Session Early Notification (SSEN) application option.

Dr. Rohen Shah is a Lecturer in the Department of Economics at Yale University. He received his PhD from the University of Chicago, where he specialized in behavioral economics. His research uses RCTs to evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions. Before graduate school, Rohen co-founded the Ed Tech company DiagKNOWstics Learning. His other prior experiences include managing a state-wide tutoring company in Michigan, teaching high school math in Detroit, and making educational music videos through the non-profit SKULE.org.

Steeped in the University of Chicago's rich tradition of scholarship and innovation, Harris Public Policy faculty and students bring an exacting, data-driven perspective to the full spectrum of policy concerns. It's this point of view, rather than a particular policy domain, that has defined Harris since its founding, guiding us as we address today's most complex challenges and nurture a new generation of leaders driven to change the world.

Application Opens:
Summer Priority Deadline: January 13, 2027
Summer Regular Deadline: March 3, 2027

[Refer to UChicago Summer Sessions Admissions]

Application submitted:	Hong Kong Dollars
Before January 13, 2027	$
Between January 14 and March 3, 2027	$

Program fee includes the academic sessions, use of the UChicago campus in Hong Kong facilities, one meal and refreshments during on-campus days and shuttle buses to and from campus and Kennedy Town MTR Station. Program Fees are non-refundable once paid unless the program is canceled by the UChicago campus in Hong Kong.

From 2026's participants

The program changed how I see big societal issues, pushing me past simple answers to weigh the messier, real-world trade-offs of different policy choices. Debating complex case studies with students from across the region pushed me to stop relying on gut feelings and start backing up my ideas with evidence. ”

Dr. Rohen’s enthusiasm was very motivating, and his feedback were very constructive. His pace of teaching was perfect and challenged me, as it was different from the usual pace I experienced at school. His questions pushed me to ponder political questions more than I ever have, and I found myself applying my knowledge even in our discussions. Ms. Brooke is also extremely helpful and answers my questions patiently and supportively. ”

The most important things that I learned in this program include 1) critical thinking skills, because we led class discussions mainly centered around evaluations of the pros and cons of policies, 2) the dynamic factors in which policies are formed and evaluated, and 3) data analysis and statistics, including the use of RStudio to generate graphs and regression models. ”

You have questions about the Introduction to Public Policy?

Email us: hkprograms@uchicago.edu