2024 News from Watson

At this year's Master of Public Affairs Policy in Action Symposium, graduating MPA students presented on a wide range of policy issues from a variety of perspectives, in each case informed by the hands-on experience they gained working with an external organization.

With their terms ending, five Watson postdoctoral fellows and one postdoctoral research associate look to continue their academic careers armed with new skills acquired in the Watson Institute's unique and robust intellectual environment.

At the end of his eighth and final year as the Howard R. Swearer Director of the Thomas J. Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, Edward Steinfeld reflected on the institute's growth as it prepares for the launch of Brown University's new School of International and Public Affairs.

In a testament to her unwavering commitment to academic excellence and student well-being, Susan Moffitt, professor of political science and international and public affairs and director of academic programs for the Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs, was selected for the 2024 Faculty Award for Advising and Mentoring.

Over winter break, ten Brown students learned the ins and outs of journalism focused on global issues and the nuances of international reporting in an evolving media landscape at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a prestigious Washington, D.C. think tank. In one week, they learned more than they could have imagined.

The Watson Institute awarded Birkelund funds to five faculty research projects during the 2023 - 2024 academic year. Projects ranged from studying civilian-military coordination during the pandemic to creating a study group between Brown students and faculty, and quilombola communities in Brazil.

The Watson Institute's Graduate Program in Development (GPD) brings together Brown University scholars from a range of departments to think together around questions of development in ways that build on but move beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries.

The Watson Institute's Diversity and Inclusion Plan committee funded three faculty members in their efforts to create a greater focus on diversity and inclusion in the institute's teaching and learning.

Three Watson Master of Public Affairs students and one alumna were named finalists for the prestigious Presidential Management Fellows class of 2024. They are now eligible to apply for positions as fellows in the federal workforce where they hope to make an impact on a variety of public policy issues.

The Watson Institute will develop a new Equity in Policy Scholars program to increase diversity in Brown's Master of Public Affairs program and, in turn, public policy circles in general. It will also ensure that Watson remains a competitive destination for outstanding future global leaders.

Watson Policy Labs, a new initiative of the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, will enhance the link between teaching, research and public outreach by addressing specific policy issues through a combination of faculty research, student training, research-based courses and public outreach.

After a semester of intensive research, students in Professor John Eason's senior seminar offered the city of Blythe, California advice on how to best navigate a looming prison closure.

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

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.