Harris School of Public Policy

Harris School of Public Policy is a public policy school located at the University of Chicago, which is also home to the Booth School of Business, Law School, and Pritzker School of Medicine. The school was established in 1988 and is named after Adolph Harris, a University of Chicago alumnus and Chicago Tribune editor. The school's mission is to develop innovative solutions to complex public policy problems, and it has partnerships with organizations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and United Nations. The school's faculty and alumni have worked with prominent institutions, including the Federal Reserve, National Institutes of Health, and Brookings Institution.

● History

The school's history dates back to 1988, when it was founded with a gift from Adolph Harris and his wife, Carol Harris. The school's early years were marked by the leadership of Don L. Coursey, who served as the school's first dean and played a key role in shaping its academic programs. The school has since grown to become one of the top public policy schools in the country, with a faculty that includes renowned scholars such as Gary Becker, James Heckman, and Roger Myerson. The school has also established partnerships with institutions such as the University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Additionally, the school has collaborated with organizations like the Cato Institute, Heritage Foundation, and Center for American Progress.

● Academics

The school offers a range of academic programs, including a Master of Public Policy degree, a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy degree, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy degree. The school's curriculum is designed to provide students with a rigorous education in public policy analysis, with courses taught by faculty members who are experts in their fields, including Daron Acemoglu, Abhijit Banerjee, and Esther Duflo. The school also offers a range of specializations, including health policy, economic development, and environmental policy, which are informed by the work of institutions like the National Bureau of Economic Research, World Health Organization, and Environmental Protection Agency. Students at the school have the opportunity to engage with prominent policymakers and scholars, including Ben Bernanke, Janet Yellen, and Joseph Stiglitz, through events and conferences hosted by the school and its partners, such as the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Economic Club of Chicago.

● Research

The school is home to a number of research centers and initiatives, including the Center for Human Potential and Public Policy, the Energy Policy Institute at Chicago, and the Crime Lab. These centers are dedicated to conducting rigorous research on a range of public policy issues, from education policy to climate change, and have partnerships with organizations such as the National Science Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and MacArthur Foundation. The school's faculty members are also affiliated with other research institutions, including the National Bureau of Economic Research, Brookings Institution, and Urban Institute. The school's research has been cited by prominent policymakers, including Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Nancy Pelosi, and has informed policy decisions at institutions like the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and International Monetary Fund.

● Campus and Facilities

The school is located on the University of Chicago campus, which is situated in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. The school's facilities include a state-of-the-art building that features classrooms, offices, and research spaces, as well as a range of amenities, including a library and computer lab. The school is also close to other University of Chicago facilities, including the Regenstein Library and the Gerald Ratner Athletics Center. Students at the school have access to a range of resources and services, including career counseling and academic support, which are provided by the school and its partners, such as the University of Chicago Career Advancement and Harris School of Public Policy Alumni Association.

● Notable Alumni and Faculty

The school has a number of notable alumni and faculty members, including Rahm Emanuel, Austan Goolsbee, and Sylvia Mathews Burwell. The school's faculty members have won numerous awards and honors, including the Nobel Prize in Economics, which has been awarded to Gary Becker, James Heckman, and Roger Myerson. The school's alumni have gone on to work in a range of fields, including government, non-profit organizations, and private industry, and have held prominent positions at institutions like the White House, Congress, and Federal Reserve. The school's faculty and alumni have also been recognized for their contributions to public policy, including Michael Sandel, Cass Sunstein, and Richard Thaler, who have worked with organizations like the American Enterprise Institute, Cato Institute, and Brookings Institution.

● Admissions and Programs

The school offers a range of programs and admissions options, including a full-time Master of Public Policy program, a part-time Master of Public Policy program, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy program. The school also offers a range of joint degree programs, including a J.D./M.P.P. program with the University of Chicago Law School and a M.B.A./M.P.P. program with the Booth School of Business. The school's admissions process is highly competitive, with applicants coming from a range of backgrounds and institutions, including Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The school's admissions committee considers a range of factors, including academic achievement, work experience, and letters of recommendation, which are often provided by prominent scholars and policymakers, such as Joseph Stiglitz, Amartya Sen, and Paul Krugman.