Public Policy and Political Theory
Purdue Public Policy researchers bring rigorous expertise in political science theory and methods to collaborative, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary partnerships that address complex societal challenges. Their work emphasizes innovative approaches to understanding both emerging and long-standing problems.
Department labs lead research at the intersection of technology, politics, and policy. Faculty collaborate with researchers across Purdue and with centers and institutes in Discovery Park to address real-world challenges facing populations around the globe.
Core areas of expertise include political institutions, policy processes, political attitudes and behavior, policy analysis, complex modeling, causal inference, and program evaluation.
Research Areas
Faculty research in Public Policy spans a range of topics, including:
- Technology and governance
- AI policy and ethics
- Sustainability and sustainable development
- Deliberation and collective decision-making
- Theoretical foundations of ethics, policy, and governance
- Resilience and natural disasters
- Education policy
- Policing and security
- Experimental methods and causal inference
- Complex modeling for policy
Studying Public Policy
Public Policy provides students with the theoretical perspectives, methodological skills, and substantive knowledge needed to analyze and evaluate:
- Public Policies: Collective responses to political issues and societal problems.
- Policy Processes: How public policies are developed and implemented, including problem recognition and agenda setting.
- Policy Frameworks and Change: The social, institutional, and conceptual frameworks that shape policy and policy change, including policy knowledge, norms, and framing.
Research Labs and Programs
Governance and Responsible AI Lab (GRAIL)
The Governance and Responsible AI Lab brings together faculty and students to conduct research and advance knowledge in the growing fields of artificial intelligence ethics and policy.
International Politics and Responsible Tech (iPART) Lab
The International Politics and Responsible Tech Lab develops and supports research projects on the global regulation of major technology companies. Its work includes a Tech Transparency Database that collects public-interest reports and disclosures from 18 of the world's largest online platforms.
Faculty
- Tara Grillos , Associate Professor
- David Johnson , Associate Professor of Political Science and Industrial Engineering
- Brian Kogelmann , Associate Professor of Political Science and Philosophy
- Cherie D. Maestas , Professor
- Kaylyn Jackson Schiff, Assistant Professor
- Daniel Schiff , Assistant Professor
- Mary (Molly) Scudder , Associate Professor
- Swati Srivastava , Associate Professor
- Logan Strother , Associate Professor
- David Yu , Associate Professor of Political Science and Civil Engineering
- Shan Zhou , Assistant Professor
Degrees
- Bachelor of Arts | Undergraduate
- Environmental Politics and Policy Minor | Undergraduate
- Environmental and Sustainability Studies Certificate | Undergraduate
- Public Policy Certificate | Undergraduate
- Master of Arts | Graduate
- Doctor of Philosophy | Graduate
- Environmental Policy Certificate | Graduate
- Social Policy Certificate | Graduate