The cornerstone of SPA's success is its esteemed faculty, comprised of prolific scholars, researchers, lecturers, executives, and ambassadors – all leaders in their field. They delve into the complex and pressing issues of our time, yielding real-world, practical solutions for pressing problems. Read below for our latest research highlights organized by topic.
Political Science ·
Jack Pavia, SPA/BA ’26, is trading the classroom for the campaign trail as the political science major joins a wave of Gen Z voices entering the political arena.
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Criminology ·
SPA Professor Awarded for Work Evaluating Police Peer Support Programs
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Environmental Policy ·
In his new book No Option But Sabotage, SPA professor traces the rise, fall, and potential reemergence of the radical environmental movement.
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Policy Analysis ·
Policy Brief: Lessons from the 2025 assault on the bureaucracy.
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Public Finance and Budget ·
Policy Brief: Rising rents and growing housing cost burdens in high-cost metropolitan regions have intensified policy interest in rent regulation.
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Health Policy & Management ·
Policy Brief: abortion policies, typically debated on moral and legal grounds, have broader economic and social consequences.
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Health Policy & Management ·
Issue Brief: In a forthcoming article, SPA Senior Scholar in Residence Jessica Waters and alumna Madelyn Adams (MPA, ‘25) propose an additional equal protection argument to bolster existing arguments against pregnancy exclusions.
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Examining the causes of crime and the the operation of the criminal justice system.
Conducting research on both policy processes and the effects of environmental issues on health and well-being.
Analyzing the connection between public health disparities, racial inequality, and how economic insecurity can exacerbate public health issues.
Researching current issues facing U.S. law enforcement, intelligence, and homeland security agencies.
SPA faculty across departments produce interdisciplinary research on global policy and administration challenges.
Focusing broadly on organizational behavior of public, nonprofit, and socially entrepreneurial organizations.
Evaluating the implementation of public policy and its outcomes on society.
Dissecting systems of government and analyzing political activity and behavior.
Analyzing how governments generate and use public funds to provide goods and services.
How governments at all levels can effectively deliver goods and services to diverse populations across policy areas.
Illuminating pressing social problems, inequities, and potential policy solutions to the most pressing issues of our day.
SPA Hosts Five Research Journals
SPA now hosts five journals that span public affairs, government, and law subject matter. Our faculty expertise is a draw for these journals, and we are honored to play a leadership role for these excellent publications.
SPA Summer Academy
SPA Summer Academy Scholars underrepresented among public affairs faculty receive quality feedback on research projects and mentoring advice on strategic planning of an academic career.
