Original Reports

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.


Read recent reports.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Nearshoring, Hispanic Leadership, and U.S. Global Competitiveness

By Pilar Frank O’Leary, Diego Deleersnyder & Sarah Hussey

September 23, 2026

What’s Next for Sustainability? Moving Forward in a Time of Friction

How are corporate sustainability and impact leaders adapting to this moment of friction?

September 17, 2026

Innovations to Accelerate Rural Wealth Building  

Aspen FSP’s essential wealth metric is a new benchmark that measures how much wealth families need not just to survive, but to thrive. 

September 14, 2026
A stock image graphic

Foundational Skills: Early Insights from Employers and Providers

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

September 14, 2026

Colorado Essential Wealth Metric

As part of our essential wealth metric project, Aspen FSP has collaborated closely with our partners at Gary Community Ventures to look specifically at the wealth of Coloradans.

September 11, 2026

From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response

Traditional emergency aid through SBA or FEMA takes time, and lower-income communities often face significant approval hurdles. Speed is essential to business survival.

July 28, 2026

Who Keeps the Golem?

The Aspen Institute has released a new white paper about AI, authorship, and what is at stake for the future of books.

July 14, 2026
FIG. 1 SYNTAX-MATTER APPARATUS (GOLEM) illustration shows a stone golem with a "void area (absence of subjectivity)" labeled on its left arm. Input A is labeled as "THE 'WORD' COMMAND SIGNAL" and Output B is labeled as "LITERAL SYNTAX (NO SEMANTIC UNDERSTANDING)". The golem holds a stack of books in its right hand.

Person-Centered Language

Shared language is a key starting point for organizations looking to adopt person-centered practices. This resource offers a set of common terms to guide how we talk person-centered work.

July 9, 2026

Phases of Person-Centered Work

This resource outlines four phases of person-centered work, illuminating key features of each phase. Designed to be used by a wide range of leaders, this tool can support internal assessment, knowledge building, and strategic planning. 

July 9, 2026

Roots & Routes – A Financial Capability Toolkit for Opportunity Youth

This toolkit explores how financial capability can be meaningfully integrated into workforce and education pathways for opportunity youth.

July 8, 2026

Bridging the Information Gap: How Organizations Can Assess and Use Benefits Screeners

Benefits screeners are a popular tool for increasing benefits access. This report offers a framework for benefits leaders to understand the role screeners play and assess their effectiveness.

July 1, 2026

Building Shared Success: A Guide to Small Business Job Quality Advising for CDFIs

This tool offers guidance for business advisors at CDFIs on how to have conversations with small business owners on job quality improvements.

June 29, 2026
Skyscraper and sky, viewed from below

Essential Wealth: A New Benchmark for Financial Security

Aspen FSP’s essential wealth metric is a new benchmark that measures how much wealth families need not just to survive, but to thrive. 

June 22, 2026

From Silos to Systems: Building the Skills Ecosystem America Needs

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

May 21, 2026

Built for the Next Generation: Young Adult Perspectives on Federal Early Wealth Building Policy

Given 530A Accounts implementation and continued momentum on other early wealth building programs, Aspen FSP and GRO Fund are elevating young adults’ unique perspectives.

May 15, 2026

The Future of Advice: Going from Fragmented Help to Person-Centered Guidance

Households need financial and retirement advice that is affordable and accessible. What will it take to achieve that goal?

May 12, 2026
Event attendees sit at tables speaking. In focus behind them, is a flipchart with notes about retirement savings advice.

2025 Impact Report

2025 was a year of milestones for the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program. Read our impact report to learn more.

May 8, 2026