In July, the University launched its new Watson School of International and Public Affairs. Led by Dean John Friedman, the school aims to expand the University’s scope in the field by combining various disciplines and revamping its Master of Public Affairs program.
The Watson School’s transition from an institute is “a way to elevate the presence of the Watson Institute into something that’s much broader and more prominent at Brown,” Friedman said in an interview with The Herald.
The idea of becoming a school stemmed from the faculty, he added. Faculty had expressed interest in the Watson Institute transitioning into a school prior to the pandemic, but it wasn’t until the spring of last year that the faculty and the Corporation formally approved the shift, Friedman said.
During its inaugural year, the school plans to host a series of events that showcase the expansive ways through which it is “trying to engage with the community,” Friedman said. Speakers at upcoming events include James Kvaal, former U.S. undersecretary of education under the Biden administration, and Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Ultimately, Friedman hopes that the Watson School will become “one of the best policy schools in the world” where students can analyze policy through an interdisciplinary lens, and “learn beyond what they would get in one department,” he said.
Long-term strategic plans for expansion and partnership with other departments are still underway, Friedman added. The planning process will take faculty input into account to pick areas of focus where the University can “make the most impact, stand out and make something that’s really among the best in the world,” he said.
In the coming years, the school hopes to “relaunch” and expand its MPA program to better support students in navigating future policy roles at nonprofit organizations or private companies based on the current political moment, Friedman said.
“A lot of things are changing, but the school launch is a great opportunity to have when facing those kinds of changes,” he added.
The school also hopes to expand its faculty to involve professors across different disciplines who engage in work related to international and public affairs. This past year, the Watson School has launched two new joint faculty searches, one with the sociology department and one with the economics department, Friedman added.
Friedman said he hopes that the faculty growth will both contribute to the intellectual environment of the school as well as help expand the MPA program.
By expanding faculty in an interdisciplinary manner, Friedman explained that he envisions that the school will become “a place where you can really come to see a problem from many different perspectives,” which he believes is extremely important for applying academic knowledge in the real world.
The school will also focus on creating opportunities for experiential learning beyond the classroom. Similar initiatives currently include policy labs, public engagement and research and the Brown Semester in Washington program.
Through the school’s initiatives and programming, Friedman hopes that it can “bring the world to Brown,” and “bring Brown to the world.”
Roma Shah is a senior staff writer covering University Hall and higher education. She's a freshman from Morgan Hill, CA and studies Neuroscience. In her free time, she can be found doing puzzles, hiking or curled up with a book.
