Dr. Richard Carpiano's interests center on public health policy and the social and economic conditions that contribute to the health of populations across the US and beyond. His research and policy activities are particularly focused on two related areas:  1) Vaccination hesitancy, its contributors, and policies to address it and promote vaccine uptake; and 2) preparedness for future pandemics.

He also Co-Chairs The Lancet (medical journal's) Commission on "US Societal Resilience in a Global Pandemic Age: Lessons for the Present from the Future." This Commission is composed of international experts from a range of fields (e.g., public health, public policy, law, ecology, and the social sciences) sectors to identify ways to foster local community resilience to future pandemic threats, thereby achieving greater societal resilience nationally and regionally.

Beyond his research and policy activities, Dr. Carpiano serves as Associate Dean and Chair of the UCR School of Public Policy and enjoys engaging with the public on these and other policy issues via social and print media.