Meeting the Challenge

Seeking to promote a just and peaceful world through research, teaching and public engagement.

News from Watson

Spring 2024 events at Watson

The Watson Institute, its centers, institutes and programs have a dynamic roster of thought-provoking events planned for the spring 2024 semester.
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News from Watson

Spring 2024 practitioner-led study groups

These not-for-credit study groups provide an opportunity for students to delve deeply into topics and apply theory and research to real world challenges. Enrollment in each group is limited to 25 students.
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News from Watson

Watson study group empowers first-generation and low-income students through networking opportunities

This fall the Watson Institute hosted a unique study group in collaboration with Brown's Undocumented, First-Generation College, and Low-Income Student Center (U-FLi). The study group, which was open to all students, focused on skill-building and leadership development for first-generation, low-income and undocumented students.
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Trending Globally

A show exploring today's biggest global challenges with the world's leading experts, from the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Mark & Carrie

Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown's Watson Institute, and Carrie Nordlund, political scientist and associate director of Brown's Annenberg Institute, share their take on the week's news.
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Rhodes Center Podcast

The Rhodes Center Podcast, hosted by Mark Blyth, features conversations with some of the most thought-provoking figures in international finance and economics. Mark and Brendan talk with scholars, policy makers, and finance experts about some of today's most pressing economic issues, and about how those issues affect our daily lives.
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Academics and Research

The Watson Institute houses several undergraduate and graduate programs that take an interdisciplinary, comparative approach to policy-relevant learning in the social sciences.

Academic Programs

Focusing on three main areas — development, security and governance — the Institute leverages Brown's tradition of true interdisciplinarity to foster innovative, policy-relevant scholarly activities. Across all topics and fields, the Institute tackles the complexities of 21st century security threats, globalization and intractable inequalities. From Latin America to China, from the Middle East to India, the Institute's work helps us all make sense of the world.

Undergraduate Programs
Graduate Programs

Student Experience

The Watson Institute houses several 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.

“ Watson's collaborative environment encourages us to learn, ask questions and grow. ”

– Gulsima Young MPA class of 2024

Centers, Initiatives and Programs

The Watson Institute is proud to house 11 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.

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Discover Our Research

Focusing on three main areas — development, security and governance — the Institute leverages Brown's tradition of true interdisciplinarity to foster innovative, policy-relevant scholarly activities. Across all topics and fields, the Institute tackles the complexities of 21st century security threats, globalization and intractable inequalities. From Latin America to China, from the Middle East to India, the Institute's work helps us all make sense of the world.

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