Socioeconomics

Josie Schafer, Ph.D.

Director

Center for Public Affairs Research

College of Public Affairs and Community Service, UNO

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.