Meeting the Challenge
Promoting a just, peaceful and prosperous world through research and teaching on the world’s most pressing economic, political and social policy challenges.
Fall 2026 events at the Watson School
Fuzzy Authoritarian Rule: How Uncertainty Deters Dissent
#BrownCurious: Is the American Dream still alive?
John N. Friedman, the inaugural dean of the Watson School, has been working with big data for the past 15 years to figure out how children can grow up to achieve a better standard of living than their parents. He explains why opportunity has faded for Americans over time, and proposes solutions to this growing opportunity gap: policy and education reform.
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#BrownCurious is a social media series that features Brown University’s community of experts answering the world’s most searched and discussed questions.
Research, Teaching & Public Engagement
The Watson School advances research on pressing global and public policy challenges, drawing on global and comparative perspectives and work across traditional academic boundaries. That scholarship informs policy-focused learning and public engagement, connecting knowledge with action to improve systems and societies.
Master of Public Affairs
The Watson School is home to a rigorous Master of Public Affairs program, which prepares students to be public policy leaders, analysts and advocates in government, politics, and the nonprofit, and private sectors, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Student Experience
The Watson School houses undergraduate and graduate programs that take an interdisciplinary, comparative approach to policy-relevant learning in the social sciences. Our programs are designed to inspire today's engaged scholars and creative thinkers to become tomorrow's leaders in international and public affairs.
“ My classes at Brown have expanded my perspective, pushing me to think more critically and to ask deeper, more thoughtful questions. ”
Centers, Initiatives and Programs
The Watson School is home to several region or topic-focused centers, initiatives and projects that are dedicated to research, teaching and outreach. These entities also serve as conveners, sponsoring informative events that inspire dialogue among scholars, students and the public.
learn more about our centersDiscover Our Research
The Watson School brings together faculty whose research draws on global and comparative perspectives to address pressing economic, political, social and policy challenges. Working across traditional academic boundaries, Watson scholars advance knowledge in international development; international economics, politics and security; rights and democracy; social and economic policy; and technology and policy, with climate change and inequality connecting work across these areas.
From Our Social Channels
Follow the Watson School of International & Public Affairs at Brown University on social media to learn more about the latest research, insights from faculty, stories from our community, and upcoming events.
