L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public AffairsResearch and Outreach

Advancing Research

That Informs Public Policy

At the Wilder School, we aim to be the premier resource for public policy expertise and social justice in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. We work with all levels of government, including federal, state, and local, as well as with foundations and nonprofit organizations. Our research and consulting practices have global impact, and we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

Welcome to the Office of Research and Outreach

Through our Center for Public Policy, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Research Institute for Social Equity, and expert faculty members, we provide cutting-edge research, consulting, and training for policymakers and the public.

Our services include leadership development and training, economic and policy impact analysis, survey insights, social equity report cards, strategic planning, program evaluations, and more. All of our programs and services are customized to meet your needs.

Our faculty members engage in a variety of disciplines, including criminal justice, homeland security and emergency preparedness, public policy and administration, and urban and regional planning. Whether they're teaching in the classroom or collaborating with community organizations, their insights shed new light on some of today's most pressing policy issues.

We look forward to getting to know you, and invite you to explore our website and reach out to us with your questions and ideas. Together, we can ensure a bright and equitable future for our community, commonwealth, and country.

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The Office of Research and Outreach is a valuable partner for policymakers in Virginia. They have the broad research capacity, extensive expertise on issues and proven leadership development programs to help us confront even the most complex challenges facing our society. Working with them over the past several years has proven beneficial to my office and our work. I strongly encourage other policymakers to take advantage of this tremendous resource.

Brian J. Moran
Former Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security

The Wilder School is excited to collaborate with these and other funders to conduct research, make discoveries, and improve our communities.

Multiple times a year, our statewide Wilder School Commonwealth Poll provides policymakers with an up-to-date snapshot of public opinion on current policy issues in the commonwealth. On this page you'll find information about recent poll highlights, as well as poll data organized by topic and by date.

The latest Wilder School Poll results reveal just how these races have become more competitive. In the contest for lieutenant governor, Senator Ghazala Hashmi holds only a narrow lead over John Reid (45%-41%), despite Governor Youngkin's unprecedented demand that Reid not run for the seat. That speaks volumes about the limits of Youngkin's influence. The governor's race tells a similar story: Abigail Spanberger leads Winsome Earle-Sears 49% to 40%, suggesting that Youngkin's endorsement is likewise not carrying the weight he might have expected. Even Attorney General Jason Miyares, closely tied to this administration, trails former Delegate Jay Jones, 47% to 41%.

Governor L. Douglas Wilder
66th Governor of Virginia


We are proud to have the Wilder School’s Commonwealth Poll selected as a Presidential Election Poll by CNN Politics for the first time in VCU’s history. Selection as a CNN-approved poll solidifies the Commonwealth Poll among the top polling operations in the nation while elevating the voice of Virginians.

 

 

 

Methodology

Our most recent poll was conducted from August 18 to 28, 2025, with results released in September 2025. The methodology is as follows:

  • 804 adult Virginians surveyed
  • Phone survey (Landlines/Cell) – dual sample design on listed landline numbers and random digit dialed (RDD) cell phone numbers
  • Sample weighted by demographics: gender, age, education, race, Hispanic origin, and region
  • Overall margin of error: +/- 4.10 percentage points

References

For more information about the results, questions, and data, visit the links below:

For a comprehensive list of past poll questions, visit our Poll Guidebook.

In The News

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August 27, 2025  

94% of VCU community feels safe on campus

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Vaccine

July 23, 2025  

Study spotlights gaps in pandemic trust

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Poll finds Virginians split on their views about the direction of the commonwealth.

July 17, 2025  

Commonwealth Poll: Spanberger leads Earle-Sears 49% to 37%

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Centers & Institutes

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The Center For Public Policy

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The Center For Public Policy

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute (GEHLI)

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Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE)

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