In summary
The site for research work that’s relevant to state policy will become a showcase for research from organizations across California starting in 2026.
The Knowledge Hub, a new CalMatters feature that will be the home for meaningful research that informs California policy, is now live, with the UC Berkeley Possibility Lab as the exclusive launch partner.
“Policymaking for a strong democracy requires high-quality research and accurate information,” said CalMatters CEO Neil Chase. “We’re proud that the Knowledge Hub will help everyone, from legislators to the Californians who elect them and guide their decisions, to be smarter about the most crucial issues we face.”
The hub launched with original research from the Possibility Lab, which describes itself as “a team of policy researchers and practitioners who partner with government and community to design and scale data-driven innovations for the public good.”
“Too often, groundbreaking research gets published, placed on a shelf, and forgotten, rarely reaching the policy staff and decision-makers who might benefit from it the most,” said Amy E. Lerman, professor of political science and public policy at UC Berkeley and executive director of the Possibility Lab. The Knowledge Hub will include research reports, data, tools and explainers that meet CalMatters’ standards for quality and accuracy.
In the first installment of its series, the research team at the UC Berkeley Possibility Lab explores the trade-offs, perspectives, partnerships, and policies that can help California build fast while also building fair, to ensure access to essential goods and services for all state residents, called “People-Centered Policymaking.”
The exclusive launch partnership will enable the Possibility Lab to spotlight new reports from its Abundance Policy Research Consortium, as part of its Abundance Accelerator. The Lab will also release reports related to its partnerships with state departments and agencies focused on its IMPACT Model for civic engagement. The Lab is providing financial support for the launch of the Hub. Researchers from around the state will be invited to share materials through the Hub beginning in Winter 2026.