As the Watson Policy Mentor Network enters its third year, it has expanded to provide more one-on-one mentoring opportunities for MPA students, as the School continues to facilitate engagement between its students and highly successful public policy practitioners.

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.

Watson faculty members published a range of books in 2025 on topics including democratic governance, inflation, global nonprofits, the illicit economy and international security. Their work offers new insight into the political and economic forces shaping today’s world. Explore 2025 titles from Watson scholars below.

Effective July 1, 2026, Şebnem Kalemli-Özcan will become director of the Watson School’s Rhodes Center for International Economics and Finance, taking over for long-time director Mark Blyth.

The Master of Public Affairs (MPA) Program offers two distinctive programs that enable students to build connections and deepen their MPA experience. The MPA Research Fellows Program emphasizes faculty engagement and hands-on research, while the Equity in Policy Scholars Program stresses interaction with policy practitioners and leadership development.

Watson School Military Fellow, Hillery Anderson, a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Air Force, came to the Watson School of International and Public Affairs after serving at the Pentagon to research issues relating to artificial intelligence and education. According to Anderson, the Air Force must prepare now for how AI will impact future recruits to keep pace with China.