An institute of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

RISE Rapid Research Reports (R4) translate timely policy topics into equity-focused insights, highlighting impacts on access, opportunities, and outcomes. They deliver fast, evidence-based findings to inform policymakers, practitioners, advocates, and the public, examining who is most affected, how inequities shift, and proposing actionable policy solutions.

Proposed AI Legislation Across the US States: What’s on Policymakers’ Minds?

Rapid Report | Issue 3 | Report Publish Date: October, 2025

Equity Challenges and Opportunities in the Revised FAFSA

Rapid Report | Issue 1 | Report Publish Date: July, 2024

Equity implications of the unchanged Federal minimum wage since 2009

Rapid Report | Issue 2 | Report Publish Date: July, 2025

Strengthening Critical Infrastructure for Equity and Resilience: Findings from the Environmental Justice Data Project

Policy Brief | October, 2025

Enhancing the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Black and Hispanic Entrepreneurs

Policy Brief | March, 2024

2023 Create, Grow, Scale Entrepreneurship Convening: Summary Report

Policy Brief | August, 2023

Ensuring Language Access Equity in Virginia Government Services

Policy Brief | April, 2022

COVID Vaccine Hesitancy Report

Policy Brief | January, 2022