Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.

Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
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Publications and Reports

Explore ideas that lead to action.

Our publications offer insights, research, and recommendations from across the Aspen Institute’s programs—covering issues from democracy and economic opportunity to climate and health. Each report reflects our commitment to dialogue, leadership, and practical solutions.

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Upskilling Playbook

UpSkill America’s Upskilling Playbook is a strategic guide for organizations to build, scale, and integrate skills-based workforce development initiatives that drive business performance and career growth.

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Second and Third Order Effects of A.I.

In Summer 2024, Aspen Digital assembled a diverse group of experts and practitioners—from technologists to historians, artists to philosophers—to imagine the mid- and longer-term implications and effects of AI. How might AI remake societies in the next 50 years? And crucially, what can we do now to shape the kind of future we’ll share together?

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Higher Ed Climate Action Plan

Our society is in a moment of transition. The effects of climate change are harming people and communities across our country and the globe. These effects will only worsen in the decades to come. The Higher Ed Climate Action Plan provides a roadmap to support comprehensive action across higher education and outlines recommendations for different stakeholders to catalyze and scale these efforts across the country.

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Reports

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Use the filters below to explore our reports by topic, program, or date.

Whether you’re looking for in-depth research or timely insights, you’ll find publications that match your interests.

“Just Make It Better.” What Gig Workers Have to Say About Gig Work

Cover page: "Just Make It Better." What Gig Workers Have to Say About Gig Work

“Now Jobs” in Young Adult Workforce Programming

This report highlights an approach that builds a step of interim employment into the continuum of workforce development services for young adults.

Report cover for ' “Now Jobs” in Young Adult Workforce Programming'

“Llámalo como quieras. Pero mejóralo.” Lo que los trabajadores independientes tienen que decir sobre este trabajo

10 Insights on the Future of ESG

Key takeaways from the Aspen ESG Summit 2024, and insights on the future of business transformation.

10 Scale Case Studies and additional diagrams

10 Things We Learned About Digital Skills During the Pandemic

How did pandemic — and heightened attention to racial inequities — affect employment, education, and training for frontline workers?

Cover page for "10 Things We Learned About Digital Skills During the Pandemic"

101 Solutions for Inclusive Wealth Building

2002 FIELD MIS Software Review

Detailed reviews and comparisons of 11 major commercial software products designed for use in the microenterprise field.

2007 Initiative on Financial Security Annual Report

For the Initiative on Financial Security, 2007 was a watershed year. The May publication of the seminal report, Savings for Life, marked the end of one phase of IFS’s work and ushered in a new phase with new challenges and opportunities.

2007 MicroTest Outcomes: A Summary of Microentrepreneurs and their Businesses

The first in a series of fact sheets drawn from client outcomes surveys, this concise report highlights findings from client outcomes surveys conducted by MicroTest members in 2007.

2012 Financial Security Summit Report

Summit participants revealed compelling consensus around savings policies that have the power to enhance economic mobility and financial security.

2013 Financial Security Summit Report

The 2013 Summit examined how leaders can still preserve the American Dream of a college education, homeownership, and a secure retirement.

2014 Financial Security Summit: Rapporteur’s Report

Examines how policymakers can make it easier for households to build financial security and to reinvigorate the American Dream.

2015 Clean Energy Innovation Forum: “The New Energy Innovation Economy”

Topics discussed included the ongoing transformation of the energy user experience; distributed generation and disruption incumbent electricity business model; challenges in bridging the energy technology gap between development and adoption; and the impact of climate concerns on accelerating change.

2015 Program Book: AEF Leadership Forum

Review the Program Booklet of 2015’s invitational symposium for senior artist-endowed foundation leaders, examining issues and innovations in practice and policy influencing this emerging field, presented by the Hoffman Forum in cooperation with AEFI and University of Miami School of Law (UMSL), and hosted by The Museum of Modern Art.

2015 Siemens Technical Scholars

A listing of our 2015 Siemens Technical Scholars with additional information highlighting the students, programs, and community colleges.

2016 Course Book: Seminar on Strategy for AEF Leaders

Review the Course Booklet of the inaugural edition of the groundbreaking professional development program for artist-endowed foundation leaders, presented collaboratively by AEFI and University of Miami School of Law (UMSL) and hosted by the Dedalus, Helen Frankenthaler, Roy Lichtenstein, and Joan Mitchell Foundations and The Isamu Noguchi Foundation & Garden Museum.

2016 Program Book: AEF Leadership Forum

Review the Program Booklet of 2016’s invitational symposium for senior artist-endowed foundation leaders, examining issues and innovations in practice and policy influencing this emerging field, presented by the Hoffman Forum in cooperation with AEFI and University of Miami School of Law (UMSL), and hosted by the Morgan Library & Museum.

2017 Aspen First Movers Summit Report

This report includes highlights and takeaways from the Aspen First Movers Summit in 2017, a biennial gathering for corporate social intrapreneurs.

2017 Aspen Institute Energy Forums Summary