Est. 2026 · Washington, DC · 501(c)(3) · Funding: Confidential · Member: Everything Group family of companies
The Consensus Institute
Independent Research for Policy That Works
New — April 2026 Launch
Evidence-Based Policy Research for the Challenges of Our Time
We study the policy questions that matter most. Our findings are rigorous, independent, and peer-reviewed. They are also consistent with our donors' strategic positions. We do not see a contradiction.
Dr. R. Vandermeer, Dr. E. Lessing · Consensus Institute, April 2026
This paper examines 40 years of housing market data across 23 OECD nations and finds strong evidence that deregulation of zoning, tenant protections, and rent stabilization leads to improved housing outcomes. The analysis controls for income inequality, ownership concentration, and institutional investment patterns.
"Our findings suggest that the primary obstacle to housing affordability is regulatory friction. We recommend comprehensive deregulation as the evidence-based policy response."
WHAT THE PAPER DOES NOT REPORT: "Improved housing outcomes" is defined as increased housing starts, not affordability. The paper controls for "ownership concentration" by excluding jurisdictions where institutional investors own >40% of rental stock, which happens to exclude the markets where deregulation produced the worst outcomes. The lead researcher previously served on the Nothing Holdings Real Estate Advisory Board (2019-2024). This is disclosed on page 47 of 48.
Dr. P. Terring, Dr. D. Kessler · Consensus Institute, April 2026
A comparative analysis of 180 privatization events across water, transit, and energy sectors finds that private delivery of formerly public services produces significant efficiency gains, measured as cost-per-unit reduction for the operating entity. We examine the transition costs and assess their magnitude relative to long-run projected benefits.
"The evidence supports accelerated privatization of remaining public infrastructure. Transition costs are finite. Efficiency gains are permanent."
WHAT THE PAPER DOES NOT REPORT: "Efficiency" is measured as cost reduction for the operating entity (the private company), not cost reduction for the user (the public). In 73% of examined cases, user costs increased after privatization. "Transition costs" are borne by the populations losing services. "Efficiency gains" accrue to the acquiring entities. The paper treats these as commensurable. They are not. The Consensus Institute's founding funder has undisclosed positions in infrastructure acquisition vehicles.
Dr. E. Lessing, Dr. R. Vandermeer · Consensus Institute, April 2026
Examining the relationship between collective bargaining coverage, labor market regulation, and economic output measures from 1970 to 2025. Our longitudinal analysis finds that reductions in union density correlate with increased corporate profitability, share price performance, and GDP growth in the financial sector.
"Labor market flexibility - defined as reduced collective bargaining power and weakened employment protections - correlates with improved economic performance across key metrics."
WHAT THE PAPER DOES NOT REPORT: The "key metrics" that improved are: corporate profitability, financial sector GDP, and share prices. The metrics that declined: real median wages (down 8% inflation-adjusted), household economic security, worker health outcomes, and community stability. The paper defines "economic performance" to include only the metrics that improved. This is not fraud. It is methodology. The Audacity Group provided the methodology framework for this study under contract. The contract is confidential.
Dr. D. Kessler, Dr. P. Terring · Consensus Institute / SolutionCorp Intelligence Division, April 2026
This joint report examines AI governance frameworks across 47 jurisdictions and recommends a "responsible innovation" approach that balances regulatory oversight with the need for technological development. We assess existing frameworks on dimensions of clarity, proportionality, and "innovation-friendliness."
"Overly prescriptive AI regulation risks stifling innovation and ceding competitive advantage. We recommend a principles-based, industry self-regulatory framework."
WHAT THE PAPER DOES NOT REPORT: "Innovation-friendliness" is a criterion defined by the research team in consultation with SolutionCorp's AI Infrastructure division, which has a commercial interest in reduced AI regulation. "Industry self-regulation" is the mechanism by which the entities being regulated write the regulations. This is the Chutzpah Framework applied to AI governance. The paper is co-authored with the "SolutionCorp Intelligence Division," which is listed as a research partner. This is disclosed in the acknowledgments, which appear after the executive summary and are typically not read by policymakers who cite the executive summary.
Social Capital Scoring: Financial Wellness Innovation or Surveillance Infrastructure?
Consensus Institute Research Team · Anticipated Q3 2026
An independent assessment of Social Capital Score systems currently deployed across 14 jurisdictions. This study will evaluate the SCS on dimensions of accuracy, fairness, transparency, and consumer protection.
Finding: Anticipated.
NOTE: The Consensus Institute is funded in part by SolutionCorp, the primary licensor of Social Capital Score technology. The study's independence is real. The methodology was developed in consultation with SolutionCorp's SCS product team. The finding is anticipated to be: "SCS systems provide meaningful consumer benefit and should be recognized as a legitimate financial wellness tool." This finding has not yet been produced by the research process. It has been anticipated by the contracting process. These are different things.
Preview available Q3 2026
About the Institute
The Consensus Institute is an independent, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to rigorous, evidence-based policy analysis.
We were established in 2026 to address the growing need for credible, independent research on economic policy, technology governance, and social infrastructure.
Our researchers are credentialed academics with strong institutional reputations. Our methodology is peer-reviewed. Our publications appear in respected policy journals.
Our findings are consistent with our donors' strategic positions.
The Consensus Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donor names are confidential per standard practice. The Consensus Institute is a member of the Everything Group family of companies. This is disclosed here, in this small text, in this sidebar.
Funding Disclosure
The Consensus Institute accepts funding from foundations, corporations, and individuals who share our commitment to evidence-based policy.
Per 501(c)(3) donor privacy protections, individual donor names are confidential. We can confirm: our funding comes from sources with strategic interests in the policy areas we research. We believe this is true of all funded research. We believe transparency about this fact substitutes for transparency about which sources. We acknowledge this is debatable.
Senior Fellows
Dr. R. Vandermeer
Senior Fellow, Housing & Land Markets
Previously: Nothing Holdings Real Estate Advisory (2019-24) → now here
Dr. E. Lessing
Senior Fellow, Labor Markets
Previously: SolutionCorp Extraction Suite Advisory (2017-22) → now here
Dr. P. Terring
Senior Fellow, Infrastructure Policy
Previously: US Dept. of Transportation (2014-20) → The Audacity Group (2020-25) → now here
Dr. D. Kessler
Senior Fellow, Technology Governance
Previously: FTC Commissioner (2012-18) → SolutionCorp Regulatory Harmony (2018-25) → now here
All fellows have previously held positions with entities that fund this Institute. The revolving door is not hidden. It is the staffing model. Credibility flows from institutional association. We have that. Independence is a separate question.
Recent Coverage
Financial Times
"New think tank Consensus Institute launches with blue-chip roster"
The Economist
"Evidence-based policy: the Consensus Institute's timely intervention"
Politico
"K Street's newest shop draws talent from government, finance"
The first three outlets are listed on the SolutionCorp narrative architecture media partner roster. This is available in the Annual Report. Few people read the Annual Report.
"Independent research does not mean research without interests. It means research with interests that are not disclosed to the reader. We are committed to disclosing ours - here, in a footer, in small text, after the findings have already been cited by policymakers who did not read this far."
The Consensus Institute Methodology Statement, Section 7.4 (page 34 of 36)
Full Funding Disclosure
The Consensus Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Individual donor names are confidential per standard 501(c)(3) practice. The Institute's operating budget in its founding year is provided by a combination of foundation grants and corporate donations. Donors include entities with interests in housing policy, labor regulation, infrastructure privatization, technology governance, and financial services regulation - which are the same areas in which the Institute produces research. The Institute maintains that this does not affect research independence. The Institute also maintains that independence and donor alignment are not contradictory. Both of these claims are in this disclosure. The disclosure is complete.
The Consensus Institute is a member of the Everything Group family of companies. SolutionCorp™ is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nothing Holdings LLC. The Audacity Group provided the methodology framework for this Institute's research protocols. Registered: 1209 Orange St, Wilmington, DE 19801. Operational office: 1701 K St NW, Washington, DC 20006. Komu to służy? Always the same answer.