For Faculty
Mission and Vision
The faculty at The Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy is committed to advancing the legacy of Senator Baker by providing critical insights on domestic and international challenges through research, education and policy engagement.
Inspired by Senator Baker’s values of civility and pragmatism, the Center prepares students for careers in public service through professional development programming, academic opportunities, and service experiences. Through research, teaching, mentorship, and engagement, the Center’s student programs seek to provide a forum for exploring democracy and promoting leadership in public service.
In the area of research, the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy has been awarded $6.76 million in grants from a variety of private sponsors, as well as from state and federal agencies, over the last 10 years (from 2011 to 2021). These grants have supported important policy-relevant interdisciplinary research and initiatives on a wide range of topics. Contracts are also frequently awarded to the Center’s faculty and fellows to facilitate targeted research on areas of specific interest to sponsors.
Just as Senator Baker’s policy interests could be channeled into three categories, the initiatives of the Baker Center fall similarly into the categories of Energy and Environment, Global Security, and Leadership and Governance.
Energy and Environment
Mission: To address critical energy and environmental challenges by creating policy relevant research and educational opportunities that integrate natural, physical, and social science.
Vision: Sustainable energy, healthy environments and prosperous communities.
Global Security
Mission: To address national and international security threats and solutions through policy relevant research and education with a global perspective.
Vision: Well-informed strategies to mitigate national and international security threats.
Leadership and Governance
Mission: To foster resilient and vibrant communities by providing current and future leaders with cutting-edge research and tools for effective governance.
Vision: Engaged and flourishing communities and visionary servant-leaders.
