Dr. Lynette A. Rawlings founded and leads The Policy Academies - a research training and career development program to prepare undergraduates to doctoral students, and early career researchers of color from low-to moderate income backgrounds for influential careers in public policy leadership. From 2007 through 2012, she conceived, designed, and led the Academy for Public Policy Analysis and Research at the Urban Institute – the pilot program that serves as the underpinnings of The Policy Academies. In addition to running The Policy Academies, Dr. Rawlings is a Visiting Professor of Practice in the Department of Social Policy at the London School of Economics. She is also an elected member of the National Academy of Social Insurance. Dr. Rawlings has been a Senior Consultant with the Urban Institute and has been a Non-Resident Fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program of the Brookings Institution. An accomplished researcher and analyst, she has over 20 years of experience exploring issues of equity, inclusion, and economic opportunity in US metropolitan regions at leading policy research institutions. Much of this work has focused on the role of race and place in shaping outcomes for families and communities in urban areas. In addition, her research includes exploring policies on immigrant and ethnic minority integration in U.S. and European Union cities. Among her many publication credits is co-authorship of Public Housing and the Legacy of Segregation – an exploration of the implications of racial discrimination and segregation for distressed public housing in American cities. From 2000 through 2012, Dr. Rawlings was a senior researcher at the Urban Institute. Prior to joining the Urban Institute, she was a Program Associate with the Income Security Division at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. She has also contributed to policy research and initiatives for the German Marshall Fund of the US, the Bertelsmann Foundation, and the European Foundation Center.