From the Director

Welcome to the Baker Institute Blog, the official blog of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. As the institute’s founding director, I am pleased to introduce this innovative forum for analyzing and discussing with you, the reader, subjects ranging from breaking political news, international issues and federal and state policy enactments to events at the Baker Institute and new research and publications.

Since 1993, the Baker Institute for Public Policy has established itself as one of the leading nonpartisan public policy think tanks in the country. Located on Rice University’s campus in James A. Baker III Hall, the institute is an integral part of one of the nation’s most distinguished institutions of higher education. I encourage you to visit the Baker Institute home page to learn more about our work and programs.

During the past 15 years, the Baker Institute has built a strong track record of achievement based on the work of Rice University faculty and the institute’s more than 20 research fellows and scholars. They do important research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute also collaborates with experts from academia, government, the media, business, and nongovernmental and private organizations. We then provide the results of our research programs and studies with specific recommendations to those involved in the formulation and execution of public policy.

With that goal in mind, the Baker Institute is undertaking this blog with the hopes of engaging new generations interested in the ideas and policies that shape their local communities and broader world. On behalf of the fellows and staff at the Baker Institute, I welcome you to this new resource for delivering our cutting-edge research and analysis on the public policy challenges facing the nation and the world.

Respectfully,

Edward P. Djerejian