Brown's first new school in over a decade, the Thomas J. Watson Jr. School of International and Public Affairs, launched on July 1. Plans for the new school include broadening the scope of research, expanding the faculty, and breaking down traditional barriers between disciplines to address the world's most pressing economic, political, social and policy challenges.

From May 12-14, the Watson Institute's Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program held its annual Policy in Action (PIA) Symposium, in which students presented the results of work they did for government, nonprofit and private sector organizations over the spring semester.

The Watson Institute’s Policy Labs — created with the goal of turbo-charging research on critical policy issues by bringing together students and researchers — were highly productive during their first year of operation. The Civil Conflict and Democratic Erosion Policy Lab, the Justice Policy Lab, and the Realizing Rights Lab created cutting-edge social science research while enhancing student research skills.

The Watson Institute's Africa Initiative is the only U.S. partner in the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA), an organization dedicated to building a vibrant multidisciplinary African academy that produces world-class research.

Renowned human rights attorney and Watson Senior Fellow Malika Saada Saar has organized a series of events for the spring 2025 semester called Fireside Chats on Building AI for Humanity, featuring conversations with tech industry leaders about AI and human rights.

On Thursday, February 27, seven Master of Public Affairs (MPA) Director's Fellows presented the results of a semester of research working with Watson faculty and other international and public affairs professionals.

In July, Brown University's new school of international and public affairs will welcome its first cohort of Ph.D. Fellows in an expanded program. Watson is now accepting pre-dissertation and dissertation fellowship applications from Ph.D. students who are working on development, governance and security-related topics in its five core departments.

"Looming in the Shadows of Lodz," a new exhibition by photographer Leslie Starobin, opens at 280 Brook St. on February 13. Sponsored by Art at Watson, the show features Starobin's photographs from a "roots journey" to Poland. Coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, "Looming in the Shadows of Lodz" illustrates how traumatic memories are passed down through generations.