What is GAPS?
The Gap Analysis and Policy Solutions (GAPS) research lab looks at differences in access, opportunities, treatment, achievement, well-being, rights and motivation in education and labor. The lab primarily focuses on differences relating to sex and gender and plans to expand its analysis to other factors such as race, nationality, age, economic background and religious belief. With social gaps explored and analyzed, the lab proposes evidence-based interventions and policy solutions suitable to reducing or closing these gaps.
The Problem
We cannot solve a situation we don’t fully understand. The first step to addressing gender inequality is to measure whether gaps in opportunities, achievement, treatment and well-being among others actually exist and to gain an in-depth understanding of them. Interventions that are not evidence-based run the risk of being ineffective and wasting valuable time and resources.
Proposed Solutions
The GAPS lab conducts research to explore the effectiveness of existing interventions to reduce social gaps and to provide decision-makers with evidence-based policy recommendations. It also conducts audits and surveys across public, private and non-governmental institutions to measure progress on gaps-related initiatives focusing on topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion. The lab is currently developing further audits that focus on mental and emotional health, with the hopes of tackling LGBTQ and racial/cultural issues within schools, workplaces and communities. The grand vision for the lab is to develop a database of all identifiable interventions and measurement methods for social gaps.