Alperen Acikol, a Ph.D. candidate in Public Policy at Oregon State University, specializes in computational social science and machine learning to evaluate social programs and improve public policy. His research centers on understanding the disparities between public perceptions and expert assessments of extreme weather risks. By employing predictive models, he aims to enhance risk communication and intervention strategies. Alongside his academic work, Alperen has significant experience in disaster response, cash intervention and program evaluation in the humanitarian sector. His interdisciplinary approach combines data-driven insights with behavioral economics to advance social welfare and public policy.