Serving as the Director of Research and an Economist for the Policy & Innovation Center (PIC), Alicia L. Jurek, Ph.D., leads applied research that informs regional policy, investment decisions, and equity-focused initiatives. She directs an interdisciplinary team that analyzes labor markets, education systems, and community outcomes, translating complex data into clear guidance for public agencies, foundations, and civic leaders.

Alicia brings more than a decade of experience as a researcher, economist, and writer, with prior roles at the San Diego Workforce Partnership and in federally funded research collaborations. Her work has shaped regional strategies on equitable economic development, higher education access, workforce development, climate planning, and water affordability. She regularly presents findings to elected officials, governing boards, and public audiences, and her research has informed decisions by county agencies, city governments, and philanthropic institutions across Southern California.

Alicia’s scholarly work examines how organizational structure, institutional environments, and representation shape public-sector outcomes, particularly in policing and the criminal legal system. She has published peer-reviewed research in journals such as Criminology & Public Policy, Feminist Criminology, Police Quarterly, and the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology. Her research has been supported by organizations including the National Institute of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and the County of San Diego.

In addition to her policy work, Alicia has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in research methods, criminology, victimology, and gender and crime at universities across the United States and internationally. She has managed large research projects involving government partners, multidisciplinary teams, and sensitive human-subject data, and has extensive experience translating research into actionable policy recommendations.

Alicia holds a PhD and MA in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Sam Houston State University and a BS in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. She remains active in community service and professional mentoring, and frequently contributes her expertise to public forums, advisory bodies, and nonprofit initiatives focused on equity and access.