phd political science duke

• Public Policy PhD (G-PPS-PHD)
• Academic Requirements

Public Policy PhD

Program Code: G-PPS-PHD Degree Designation: Doctor of Philosophy Department: School of Public Policy Website: sanford.duke.edu/academics/doctoral-program

PhD programs follow the policies outlined in The Graduate School Bulletin .

Program Summary

The PhD in public policy is a research-based, interdisciplinary social science degree. Graduates of the program are prepared for academic careers and professional positions in research, consulting firms, or public agencies.

The program requires a two-course sequence in theories of political economy and coursework in three other social science disciplines. Students designate a disciplinary concentration in economics, political science, psychology, or sociology, as well as a policy focus, such as social policy, globalization and development, or health policy.

Financial Aid

Duke University and the Sanford School of Public Policy are committed to supporting public policy PhD students for five years through a combination of scholarships, fellowships, research or teaching assistantships, and stipends, provided that students maintain satisfactory progress in the program.

For more information about financial support for PhD students at Duke, visit gradschool.duke.edu/financial-support .

For more information about Duke University Graduate School Fellowships, visit gradschool.duke.edu/financial-support/find-funding .

In addition to those awards available through the university, applicants are urged to compete for national and foundation awards available for graduate study. A website maintained by Duke’s Office of Research Support lists awards available from a variety of federal and private sources, as well as awards funded by the university. External awards, which are prestigious and a valuable acknowledgement of a student’s intellectual project and promise typically replace departmental or Graduate School awards. Visit the Office of Research Support website for detailed information about external financial awards researchinitiatives.duke.edu/funding-search-tools .

The Sanford School’s Public Policy PhD faculty members represent diverse disciplinary backgrounds and numerous research interests. The Public Policy PhD Program faculty consists of all members of the graduate faculty of Duke University with primary or secondary appointments in the Sanford School of Public Policy as well as members of the graduate faculties in the departments of political science, economics, sociology and other relevant departments, and of the faculties of the Nicholas School of the Environment, The Fuqua School of Business, Duke Law School, and other professional schools.

Paula D. McClain

James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Political Science Professor of Public Policy Past Dean of The Graduate School Duke University

• Publications

Paula D. McClain is James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Professor of Public Policy and is the former Dean of The Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education (2012-2022). She moved to Duke from the University of Virginia in 2000. She also directs the American Political Science Association’s Ralph Bunche Summer Institute hosted by Duke University, and funded by the National Science Foundation and Duke University. A Howard University Ph.D., her primary research interests are in racial minority group politics, particularly inter-minority political and social competition, and urban politics. Her articles have appeared in numerous journals, most recently the Journal of Politics , American Political Science Review , Urban Affairs Review , The Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race and Politics , Groups and Identities , among others. Westview Press will publish the eighth edition of her book, “Can We All Get Along?" Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics , with coauthor Jessica D. Johnson Carew in early 2024. Her 1990 book, Race, Place and Risk: Black Homicide in Urban America , co-authored with Harold W. Rose, won the National Conference of Black Political Scientists' 1995 Best Book Award for a previously published book that has made a substantial and continuing contribution. American Government in Black and White: Diversity and Democracy , co-authored with Steven Tauber, won the American Political Science Association’s Race, Ethnicity and Politics Organized Section Best Book Award for a book published in 2010. The 6th edition of the book was published in 2023. She is past president of the American Political Science Association, past president of the Midwest Political Science Association, and past president of the Southern Political Science Association and the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. She is a past vice president of the American Political Science Association, served as Program Co-Chair for the 1993 annual meeting of the American Political Science Association, served as Program Chair for the 1999 annual meeting of Midwest Political Science Association, served as Vice President of the Midwest Political Science Association, served as Vice President and 2002 Program Chair of the Southern Political Science Association, and served as a Vice President and Program Co-Chair of the 2003 International Political Science Association World Congress which was held in Durban, South Africa in July 2003. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Duke University Blue Ribbon Diversity Award (2012), the Graduate School Mentoring Award (2010), the Frank J. Goodnow Award for contributions to the profession of political science from the American Political Science Association (2007), a Meta Mentoring Award from the Women’s Caucus for Political Science of the American Political Science Association (2007), the Manning Dauer Award from the Southern Political Science Association (2015), and 2017 Midwest Women’s Caucus of Political Science (MWCPS) Outstanding Professional Achievement award. In 2014, she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Publications include:

American Government in Black and White . 6th edition. Co-authored with Steven C. Tauber. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2023).

“Can We All Get Along?” Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics , 8th edition. Co-authored with Jessica Johnson Carew. (forthcoming Boulder: Westview Press, 2024).

What's New About the New South? Race, Latino Immigration, and Inter-group Relations

As a result of the Durham Pilot Project: St. Benedict the Black meets the Virgin of Guadalupe, we now have site-specific answers to some of the questions raised earlier, but in order to see whether attitudes identified in Durham manifest themselves in other Southern cities that have been the recipients of substantial Latino immigration. Thus, I submitted a proposal to the Russell Sage Foundation to resurvey Durham and expand the project into four additional cities—Memphis, TN, Little Rock, AR, Greensboro, NC, and Dalton, GA. The Russell Sage Foundation awarded a grant to fund three of the cities, e.g., Durham, Memphis and Little Rock. I will be searching for additional funds to include the other two. The grant is for $157,000 and runs from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008.

The Durham Pilot Project: St. Benedict the Black meets the Virgin of Guadalupe

The past 10 to 15 years has seen a tremendous increase in the Latino population in the South. What is different about the South, especially the states of the Old Confederacy, from the other cities that I have studied over the years, is that Latinos, for the most part, are an entirely new population introduced into the region. Historically, the racial dynamic, rooted in slavery and solidified during Jim Crow, has been wholly black and white. The increasing presence of this third group, Latinos, has created and is creating conflicts and tensions among blacks, Latinos and whites. This project is aimed at identifying the sources of the conflict among blacks, whites and Latinos, and the effect Latinos are having on the politics and socioeconomic status of blacks and whites in a Southern context. It is a pilot study using Durham as the research site. The project, begun in 2001, has several data sources--historical, elite interviews and a survey. We developed a questionnaire and are in the process of interviewing black, Latino, and white elites. Our goal is to complete fifty interviews. The Ford Foundation has funded the city-wide survey which was conducted by the Center for Survey Research at the University of Virginia and completed in July 2003. The sample consists of 500 black, white, Latino and other residents of Durham, NC.

PS316.01: Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics

This course in a graduate-level introduction to the politics of the United States’ four principal racial minority groups. The importance of race and ethnicity in American politics, and the politics (historical, legal, attitudinal and behavioral) of blacks, Latinos, American Indians and Asian Americans are explored. The course will describe and analyze how the structures of the American political system and its present operation seriously disadvantage blacks, Latinos, Asian Americans and American Indians as they attempt to gain the full benefits of American society. Other aspects of the black, Latino, Asian and Indian peoples experience will be discussed to give a more balanced perspective of black, Latino, Asian and Indian peoples participation in the American political arena.

• PS316.01 Syllabus

PS505S: Race in Comparative Perspective

This course explores the comparative way race is socially constructed in the United States, several European, Latin American, and selected other countries in the world. At times, we will also examine the concept of ethnicity within race and within these countries. In addition, we will examine the historical context in which the notion of race developed, and the very real effects of this social construction on the social and political lives of communities of color in these countries. Race as a defining characteristic is present in many countries; unfortunately, we are only able to explore a few. Nevertheless, you should think about and explore notions of race in countries that we do not cover. The material in the course falls under the emerging subfield of race and politics known as comparative race.

• PS505S Syllabus

PS141D: Introduction to Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics

This course is about the continuing importance of race and ethnicity in American politics, and the politics (historical, legal, attitudinal, and behavioral) of four of the United States' principal racial minority groups--blacks (African Americans), Latinos, Asians and to a lesser extent, American Indians. The course will describe and analyze how the structures of the American political system and its present operation seriously disadvantage blacks, Latinos, Asian Americans and Indian peoples as they attempt to gain the full benefits of American society. Other aspects of the black, Latino, Asian and Indian peoples experience will be discussed to give a more balanced perspective of black, Latino, Asian and Indian peoples participation in the American political arena. For example, the course will describe and analyze how and in what ways the structures and functions of the Presidency, Congress, and the bureaucracy affect the aspirations of these four groups.

• PS141D Syllabus

PS278S: Race and American Politics

The definition and meaning of race have been, and continue to be, shaped by U.S. political and legal institutions. Hence, politics and race in the United States have been inextricably intertwined. The course focuses on the continued salience of race in American politics, and its influence on white and black political attitudes and behavior, and on the behavior and attitudes, where information is available, on Latinos. Attention is paid to the historical context in which the concept of race and race relations developed, and addresses the current context in which racial dynamics are played out. The course will provide a broad overview of the salience of race in the American political fabric and how it structures racial attitudes on a number of political and policy dimensions. Spring 2010.

• PS278S Syllabus

American Government in Black and White - Diversity and Democracy

The third edition of American Government in Black and White (co-authored with Steven C. Tauber) was published by Oxford University Press in 2021.

“Can We All Get Along?" Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics

Westview Press published the seventh edition of her book, “Can We All Get Along?" Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics, in 2017. It was coauthored with Jessica D. Johnson Carew. (The first edition in 1995 won the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights in North America Award for Outstanding Scholarship on the Subject of Intolerance, 1996.)

Race, Place and Risk: Black Homicide in Urban America

Her 1990 book, Race, Place and Risk: Black Homicide in Urban America, co-authored with Harold W. Rose, won the National Conference of Black Political Scientists' 1995 Best Book Award for a previously published book that has made a substantial and continuing contribution.

Political science needs a resource that serves as a core reference to the central ideas, concepts, and frameworks underlying the study of politics and that highlights the intersections of politics with other disciplines. The Encyclopedia of Political Science (TEPS) is designed to fill that need. It is the encyclopedia for political science in the twenty-first century.

Dr. McClain's articles have appeared in numerous journals, including:

Journal of Politics

American Political Science Review

Urban Affairs Review

The Du Bois Review: Social Science Research on Race

Educational Background

Ph.D., Political Science, Howard University, 1977

M.A., Political Science, Howard University, 1974

B.A., Political Science, Howard University, 1972

University of Michigan, Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research, Summer 1978 and 1979

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Analysis Center, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1981-1982

Academic Administration

July 1, 2012 - September 2022: Dean of The Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Duke University

Academic Employment

September 2000 - present: James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Political Science (with tenure): Professor of Public Policy, Department of Political Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Joint-appointments with the Sanford Institute of Public Policy. Program Director, Race, Ethnicity and Politics Program. Director, Ralph Bunche Summer Institute. Former Co-Director, Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity and Gender in the Social Sciences (REGSS). Teaching areas: Racial and Ethnic Minority Politics, Race and Politics, Comparative Race, Public Policy, Urban Politics.

1997-98: Shannon Center for Advanced Studies, University of Virginia.

September 1991 - August 2000: Professor (with tenure) Woodrow Wilson Department of Government and Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. Department Chair, 1994 -1997. Director, Ralph Bunche Summer Institute, 1996-2000. Director, Master of Arts in Public Administration and Public Policy Program, 1992-1994. Director, Mid-Career Executive Program, 1993-1994. Teaching Areas. Urban Politics, Public Policy, and Racial and Ethnic Minority Politics.

The Graduate School Website

REGSS Website

Department of Political Science Website

140 Science Drive, 208 Gross Hall, Box 90204 Durham, NC 27708 Tel (919) 660-4303 Fax (919 660-4366 [email protected]

Political Science

Welcome to political science.

Our major combines (1) a classical liberal arts education with (2) advanced analytical techniques and (3) an understanding of the basic operating systems of human societies. In a world beset by problems that stubbornly ignore the narrow boundaries of academic disciplines, Political Science is the perfect bridge to leadership in a wide variety of fields. In addition to careers in government and political careers, our graduates work as leaders in non-profits, management consulting, new media, law, Silicon Valley start-ups and other fields that are central to the world of tomorrow. It's a mistake to think your undergraduate courses "lead" directly to the career you expect to enter. The whole reason to study at Duke - and to major in Political Science in particular! - is that a liberal arts background teaches you how to learn . In your job, or your graduate training, you'll learn narrow technical skills. The reason to major in Political Science is that you will have context, and a depth of knowledge about the ethical and engineering problems of working in groups.

Departmental website : https://polisci.duke.edu/

First and second majors select their faculty advisor after declaration of the political science major. The faculty advisor is your resource for course selection, research opportunities, graduate or professional school information and such.

Once you have officially declared the major, please fill out the Advisor Selection Form to select your advisor, and email the completed form to Tosha Marshall , the Undergraduate Program Coordinator. You should receive confirmation of your advisor with 48 hours of your submission. We highly recommend that you select a faculty member within your planned field. If you have any questions about selecting an advisor, contact Tosha Marshall, or talk to any faculty member.

Prior to the course registration period each semester, each faculty advisor will contact his or her advisees to set up an appointment to discuss course selection. Students are required to meet with the Undergraduate Program Coordinator Tosha Marshall each advising period prior to course registration. It is during these meetings that the major requirements will be reviewed in detail to make sure that students are on the right track for completion of the major. More detailed information is sent to students prior to the advising period. If you have questions, fee free to contact Prof. Alexander Kirshner , the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Requirements and General Information

Learn more about major and minor requirements , and general information for new majors.

Bio & CV

I am a Professor in the departments of Political Science and Public Policy at Duke University and presently an Associate Editor at the American Journal of Political Science . I study the theoretical determinants of collective action in contexts as diverse as political violence and terrorism, elections, and opinion and identity formation. As part of that, I have recently started studying theoretically-informed measurement as well. My research has been published in journals such as the American Political Science Review ,  American Journal of Political Science , and  Journal of Politics , as well as in a pair of books from  Princeton University Press . Prior to coming to Duke, I was on faculty at  Florida State University . Before that I got my Ph.D. from  Stanford University ‘s  Graduate School of Business , and before that I studied  physics .

My CV is here . Click on Research, above, for links to all my academic publications. You can also check me out on Google Scholar or on Scholars@Duke . I can sometimes be found on Bluesky at @daveasiegel.bsky.social . If you’re interested in my blog posts or media appearances, you can find links here . If you are in the media and interested in talking about any of the topics I research, please contact me via e-mail.

I typically teach classes on terrorism, game theory, network analysis, and research methods of various sorts. I also actively advise students. You can find details of each by Clicking on Teaching or Advising, respectively. I’ve co-written a book on mathematics for social scientists and produced a full set of (free) video lectures, problem sessions, and problem sets to go along with the book. You can find links to the book and all video course material off the Teaching link. Also off that link are links to an online version of the Intro to Empirical Methods course I’ve taught for the past few years as part of the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute .

I co-organize a yearly Behavioral Models of Politics Conference with Jon Woon at Pitt that is intended to encourage communication among those exploring models of politics that bring in insights from the vast literature on individual behavior. You can check out some past programs at their websites here ,  here , and here .

Secondary Menu

Hire a duke ph.d..

Our graduates have gone on to  outstanding careers in higher education, public service, and the private sector . Again this year, we are proud to have outstanding students on the job market. Brief sketches of our placement candidates are available below. We also include their contact information. Some students maintain their own page with more detailed information regarding their preparation and strengths. If you have questions about graduate student placement, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator Kathy Ivanov ( [email protected] ). If you have any questions about our Ph.D. program in general, contact the Director of Graduate Studies Christopher Johnston ( [email protected] ).

Job Candidates

• Comparative politics
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• Political Economy
• Global Environmental Politics
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• Comparative Politics
• International Relations

• International Development

• American Politics
• Racial/Ethnic Politics

• Political economy of development with a focus on state building

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Kerry L. Haynie

Kerry L. Haynie is Professor and Chair of Political Science, Professor of African and African American Studies, and a former Chair of Duke’s Academic Council (Faculty Senate), 2019-21. He earned B.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master’s degree from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. Before coming to Duke in 2003, Haynie was a member of the faculty at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and the University of Pennsylvania.    

Haynie’s research examines how the underlying theory, structures, and practices of American political institutions affect African Americans’ and women’s efforts to organize and exert influence on the political system. In 2012, he and his co-author Beth Reingold were the co-winners of the American Political Science Association’s Women and Politics Research Section’s Best Paper Award. In addition to articles in various academic journals, his publications include,  Race, Gender, and Legislative Representation: Toward a More Intersectional Approach  (with Beth Reingold and Kirsten Widner, Oxford University Press) winner of the 2021 Richard F. Fenno, Jr. Prize from the American Political Science Association for the best book in legislative studies.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Education, training & certifications.

M.A. in Political Science

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 33
• Students: 32
• Students receiving Financial Aid: No financial aid available for M.A. students
• Part time study available: No
• Application terms: Spring, Fall
• Application deadlines: Spring: October 2; Fall: February 15

Kyle Beardsley Director of Graduate Studies Department of Political Science Duke University Box 90204 Durham, NC  27708-0719 Phone: (919) 660-4300

Email:  [email protected]

Website:  http://polisci.duke.edu

Program Description

The graduate program in Political Science is designed primarily to prepare students for research and teaching. Major fields of specialization are:  Political Institutions; Political Economy; Security, Peace and Conflict; Political Behavior and Identities; Political Methodology; and Normative Political Theory and Political Philosophy.  Students can also integrate courses of study around a common theme, such as Race, Ethnicity and Politics; Religion and Politics; or Law and Politics. Students can supplement their training with coursework in other departments including Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Psychology, Public Policy, Sociology, and Statistics.

Our department goals are served by close and supportive relations with the faculty and with other students.  Typically, about 10-13 new graduate students enter each year.  The ratio of students in residence to faculty is approximately 2:1.

Resources for study include the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI); Duke Initiative on Survey Methodology; Political Institutions and Public Choice (PIPC); Program in Asia Security Studies; Social Science Workshop for Chinese Scholars; Triangle Institute for Security Studies (TISS); and Empirical Implications of Theoretical Models (EITM), among others.

• Political Science: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Political Science: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Spring, Fall

Application Deadlines:  Spring: October 2; Fall: M.A.: February 15

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required (See department guidance below)
• Résumé: Required
• GRE Scores: GRE General Required
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required
• Writing Sample (see departmental guidance below)

Writing Sample The submission of a writing sample (limited to fewer than 15 pages) is required. Writing samples should be uploaded to the Departmental Requirements section of the application.

Additional Component Applicants to the joint Ph.D. program in Public Policy and Allied Disciplines must submit an additional essay for admission to the program. Regardless of your selection of primary department, please respond to the following prompt:

In 500 words or less, please explain your interest in the joint Ph.D. program offered between Public Policy and an Allied Discipline. Highlight how your research interests and past experiences lie at the intersection between Public Policy and the Allied Discipline and how participation in the joint program will facilitate your professional goals after receiving your degree.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying:  Departmental Application Guidance

List of Graduate School Programs and Degrees

PhD candidate Jared Clemons talks about studying the politics of social justice

Jared is studying the politics of social justice. His dissertation, “Paying the Price? How Racial Capitalism and Self-Interest Condition White Liberal Commitments to Racial Justice” asks the question “how does personal self-interest condition Whites’ commitments to addressing racial inequality?” To answer this question, he considers how neoliberal conceptions of individualism inform the behaviors of even Whites who are ostensibly sympathetic to notions of antiracism. More specifically, he decenters “racial attitudes” as an explanatory factor in explaining social inequality and, instead, consider the ways in which race and capitalism converge to set the terms of the contemporary antiracism agenda in America.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I’m a political science PhD at Duke and majored in political science as an undergrad at Louisiana State University. I also received a master’s in elections and campaign management at Fordham University. I’ve always had an interest in politics and curious how people (Americans) think of the political domain.

Why Political Science?

One thing that drew me to Duke specifically was the political science department and its race and ethnic politics focus. My research looks at the ways in which race shapes our American politics and the ways that people understand public policy and inequality. Paula McClain is my dissertation chair and it’s amazing working with her since she’s one of the foremost scholars in political science and studying race.

I didn’t know I wanted to do a PhD. As a political science undergrad, the next step was to head to law school: get my undergraduate degree, take a couple years off and work, regroup, and then study for the LSAT. But as I was studying, I quickly realized I wasn’t really drawn to questions of law, constitutional law, or similar types of inquiry. I ended up enrolling in a master’s program and the very first course I took was a theoretical/political behavior course and I was hooked. I was drawn to asking big questions and liked the opportunity to question things that we often take for granted.

The one thing that I really enjoy as a social scientist is the ability to just stop and think about why things are the way they are. We know that this is the world, but this is a world that we all collectively create, so I like being able to ask these questions that in other spaces, you probably wouldn’t get to ask.

My advisor nudged me into considering a PhD since I expressed interest in asking questions about race and politics. So my master’s program definitely opened my eyes to the PhD, which I simply wasn’t considering when I first began my studies.

I come from a really politically active family. My grandmother was super involved in the NAACP and so I was always really interested in understanding racial justice and social justice more broadly. I knew that I wanted to be somewhere where I could ask questions about race and inequality.

What do you think are the pros/cons of pursuing a PhD?

If you are very inquisitive, it gives you the opportunity to kind of wet that curiosity. You have the opportunity to really question things. As an undergrad you’re assigned work and are consuming knowledge, but in a PhD program, you’re learning how to be a producer of knowledge. For people who are really interested in learning, wanting to read a lot about a very small subset of things, and find that fulfilling, then a PhD is a great move for you. Sometimes it can be pretty isolating, especially in the dissertation phase. I wouldn’t say you are on your own because you still have your committee and there’s other grad students, but once you get really enmeshed in your own research, at some point, it can feel very isolating. If you are more of an extrovert or someone that thrives on working on a team, transition from coursework to dissertation can be difficult.

Any advice for current PhD students?

I always tell people your first year is like being thrust into the deep end of the pool and you’re just having to learn how to stay afloat. But I think one thing you quickly learn is that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t let yourself burn out your first year or two. It’s important to realize this is a long game and you’re not expected to know everything on day one.

Stay intellectually humble. Don’t lose sight of the fact of who you are. While we are being trained to be producers of knowledge, we’re also recognizing that there’s so much about the world that we don’t know. Recognize that saying ‘I don’t know’ is not a weakness. In my opinion there’s something liberating about saying ‘I don’t know,’ and so I think if you can keep the intellectual humility and curiosity, you’ll enjoy the PhD process much more.

Why is social science research so important?

In a lot of ways, social science research helps us think about how we can make the world a better place. With the pandemic, one thing we saw immediately, is that the pandemic isn’t just a question of science. We need to take a closer look at how the pandemic has had differential impact on various populations and think about how we might reach out to different populations who have been disproportionately affected by it. We need to understand the way historical systems have created some of these inequalities, if you do in fact want to improve them.

What’s next for you?

I study racial inequality, but I look at it from a somewhat different lens. There’s a lot of research that looks at why people don’t support certain types of social policies, but I’m interested in looking at the conditions that might shape people’s interpretations of certain social policy. I want to stay in academia and continue to do work that is accessible to everyone. In my opinion, some of the best academic research is research that is written in a way that can be used to solve our social problems. I want to be at an institution that allows me the ability and the flexibility to work outside of the academy, in addition to doing my own research, so in a perfect world, I would be at an institution that allows me the freedom to kind of pursue my own academic interests

What policies are needed for global poverty reduction in the context of education, agriculture, health, trade and economic wellbeing in developing economies?

Featured theme: international development policy.

International development policy requires a firm foundation of knowledge about development challenges and experiences, ability to apply a wide range of evaluative and analytical tools, an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving, and communications skills. Sanford faculty have active field research projects and expertise in economics, environmental engineering, political science, evaluation methods, migration, and many other applied areas.

Academic Overview 

Sarah Bermeo 's research lies at the intersection of international relations and development, with a particular focus on relations between industrialized and developing countries.

Related Programs & Courses

The Public Policy Studies major is a perennial top major at Duke University.

• Master of International Development Policy (MIDP)
• MPP (International Development Policy certificate available) -  view concentration requirements

Please visit the  Duke Center for International Development  website for more information.

PhD in Public Policy

Explore key faculty in International Development policy 

Center for Health Policy & Inequalities Research

Duke center for international development, duke global health institute, duke population research institute, duke-unc rotary peace center, sample stories & research, student feature.

A a general practitioner at hospitals across Ethiopia during COVID-19, Solomon Ayehu MIDP'24 headed to graduate school to study international development and global health policy.

Research Feature

Faculty member Anirudh Krishna and Sanford PhD candidate Emily Rains looked at 9,000 households in three Indian cities to explore social mobility in India’s urban slums. They found that volatility is high in slums and upward gains are precarious for residents.

What can you do with a focus on international development policy 

Bautista Logioco MIDP ' 04

Alumni Story

Bautista Logioco graduated in 2004 from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University with a Master of International Development (MIDP) degree. Since then he has had a variety of international roles at the United Nations, including the World Food Programme, UN Women and the UN Development Program.

Watch Bautista's story | Read more alumni stories

Key Partnerships 

The Center's mission is to improve health of individuals and communities, locally, nationally, and internationally, by addressing health inequities through interdisciplinary policy-relevant research, interventions, and evaluations. 

The Duke Center for International Development (DCID) promotes sustainable development through its research, education and engagement with students, policy makers, practitioners, development partners, civil society and the private sector.

Duke Global Health Institute aims to achieve health equity for vulnerable groups and individuals around the world through research, education and partnership.

The Duke University Population Research Institute (DUPRI) is a community of scholars who challenge the boundaries of interdisciplinary population research with cutting edge approaches to prepare the next generation of leaders in population science.

The joint Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center takes advantage of the best faculty, courses, resources and technology that each university offers. 

Let's Connect!

Interested in pursuing a degree with a focus on international development policy? Great! The  admissions page  for each program has detailed guidelines, including our contact info. Please reach out!

• Read recent stories related international development policy 
• Browse faculty opinion pieces related to  international development policy 
• Sanford podcasts often feature stories about  international development policy. 

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Political Science Professor Olukunle Owolabi, PhD, Receives Six Awards for Recent Book on the Developmental Legacies of Colonialism

Villanova, Pa — Villanova University Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Africana Studies Program, Olukunle Owolabi, PhD, is the recipient of six awards for his book, Ruling Emancipated Slaves and Indigenous Subjects: The Divergent Legacies of Forced Settlement and Colonial Occupation in the Global South .

Dr. Owolabi’s book, published in 2023, continues to receive recognition from top scholarly institutions and professional associations. He is the co-winner of the American Political Science Association's (APSA) 2024 Best Book Award in Citizenship and Migration Studies and received an honorable mention for the APSA’s 2024 Luebbert Best Book Award in Comparative Politics. The APSA also honored Dr. Owolabi with the 2024 Merze Tate-Elinor Ostrom Outstanding Book Award, the organization’s most prestigious award recognizing the best book published in government, politics and international affairs. Previous recipients of this award include some of the biggest names in political science, including Robert Dahl, Theda Skocpol, Adam Przeworski, Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson.

In addition to these awards from the APSA, Dr. Owolabi is also the recipient of the 2024 Katzenstein Prize , awarded by Cornell University’s Department of Government for an outstanding first book in international relations, comparative politics or political economy. Additional awards include the 2023 Distinguished Book Award by the Ethnicity, Nationalism and Migration Studies section of the International Studies Association, and the 2024 W.E.B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award by the National Conference of Black Political Scientists for outstanding work that grapples with fundamental questions of political power, race and other intersections of oppression.

The significance of Dr. Owolabi’s work has been recognized by leading scholars of political science, including David D. Laitin, PhD, of Stanford University. "Olukunle Owolabi, in his eye-opening treatise, describes what generations of development economists did not see, namely that countries populated by slaves of forced settlement have brought peace, prosperity and democracy far outpacing countries of colonial occupation,” writes Dr. Laitin. “He then explains why, showing the returns to emancipation and citizenship. My hat off to Owolabi for opening our eyes to what has long been obscured by academic prejudices."

The recent awards underscore the significant contributions Dr. Owolabi makes to political science and related disciplines. Dr. Owolabi holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Toronto, a master’s in Latin American Studies from Oxford University, and a doctorate in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame.

About Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Since its founding in 1842, Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been the heart of the Villanova learning experience, offering foundational courses for undergraduate students in every college of the University. Serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, the College is committed to fortifying them with intellectual rigor, multidisciplinary knowledge, moral courage and a global perspective. The College has more than 40 academic departments and programs across the humanities, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences.

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Shyni Varghese, PhD, Appointed Vice Chair of Research

Shyni Varghese, PhD , has been appointed vice chair of research for the Duke Orthopaedic Surgery Department.

She has triple appointments in the Duke departments of Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, and Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Varghese is the first MEDx Investigator and is a Laszlo Ormandy Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery.

As a leader in biomaterials and stem cells, Dr. Varghese's research in musculoskeletal tissue repair, disease biophysics, and organ-on-a-chip technology is paving the way for significant advancements in orthopaedic surgery.

Dr. Varghese will succeed Steve George, PT, PhD , who was named editor-in-chief of the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal. She will lead the efforts of the department’s research vice chair council, which includes Adam Goode, PhD , vice chair of clinical research and epidemiology, and Lou Defrate, PhD , vice chair of biomechanics, movement, and imaging research. This group will effectively manage and lead the department’s diverse and growing research portfolio. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Varghese on her new role as the department continues to create innovative, advanced research programs.

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Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

The Duke University Medical Center Library & Archives is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages applications from candidates of all races, genders, ages, ethnicities, cultural heritage or nationalities; religious or political beliefs; sexual orientations or gender identities; and socioeconomic, veteran or ability statuses.

The Duke University Medical Center Library invites applications to our paid, year-long, mentored internship within the Library's Research & Education Department. Applicants must be Master's students in a Library/Information Science program. Internships are 1 year with the potential to renew for a second year. This internship will help you develop skills for success in any academic library setting.

Our interns have co-authored publications in scholarly journals, presented work at local and national conferences, and made significant contributions to our Library. We mentor our interns in advanced literature searching, reference, teaching, as well as research impact and bibliometric analysis.  These experiences prepare our interns to be competitive on the job market.

We welcome questions and look forward to hearing from you!

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The Research & Education Department of the Duke University Medical Center Library provides reference and research services, classes, consultations, and systematic review services for organizations and individuals within the Duke University School of Medicine and Duke Health. The Research & Education Intern will support all areas of the department, such as reference, research, instruction, consultations, bibliometrics/research impact, and advanced literature review searches. The Intern will gain experience in a progressive academic health sciences environment and will develop practical skills in health sciences and academic librarianship, such as mastery of searching journal article databases, staffing chat reference, holding consultations with patrons, teaching workshops or classes, and more.

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• Assist patrons with reference and research questions via chat, email, Zoom, and at the library service desk
• Develop and update literature searches that support research publications like systematic reviews as well as other research projects; utilize databases like PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO and more for these searches.
• Work with various citation management tools such as Endnote and Zotero and support patrons in their use
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• Teach library drop-in workshops as well as hold one-on-one or small group research or educational consultations
• Co-teach classes within the graduate health professions' programs
• Compile analytics on institutional publishing
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• Contribute to the Library's blog
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Candidate must be enrolled in a Master's degree Library/Information Science program.

Please note that a background in STEM or biomedicine is NOT REQUIRED.

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Education -  See job description.

Experience-  N/A

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Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

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The Political Science doctoral program provides in-depth knowledge and advanced research skills, preparing you for leadership positions in academia, research institutions and public service. With a dedicated faculty and a supportive community of scholars, you'll have access to opportunities for cutting-edge research and professional development.

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Broadly but not exclusively focused on the dynamics surrounding representation, equity, conflict, rights, and conflict resolution, the graduate program at Kent State allows candidates to study important and timely questions under well-established scholars. Our focus on methodological skill, sophisticated research design, and faculty mentoring enables PhD candidates to develop their own research questions in a theoretically and empirically grounded manner. Our program enjoys an impressive completion rate, and our PhD recipients place well .

Many of our Ph.D. students receive funding to support their study. Funding is competitive and only granted to students with exemplary academic records. Support is generally continued for four years, and currently includes a nine-month stipend, tuition remission, and a subsidized health insurance plan. Funded students serve as Graduate Assistants (either assisting with research or teaching) throughout the academic year. In some cases, students may receive financial support to complete their dissertations in the fifth year.

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The Ph.D. degree in Political Science prepares students for research and teaching careers in higher education and for research-based careers in fields that are focused on political, economic and social issues. The degree program is broadly focused on the dynamics surrounding representation, equity, conflict, human rights, development and conflict resolution. Students develop their own research questions in an interdisciplinary and theoretically sophisticated way. Students work with faculty mentors throughout their degree program and often develop and present their own research at regional or national conferences.

The Political Science major comprises the following concentrations, from which students select two:

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For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website . For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website .

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International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

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Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand the theoretical underpinnings of political science and be able to address real world issues and problems.
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• Effectively communicate research findings and implications to a range of audiences including scholars, practitioners and citizens.

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Dissertation is required. Doctoral students must complete additional approved electives, including research, to reach a minimum of 30 credit hours post-master's (or equivalent advanced degree) or a minimum of 60 credit hours post-bachelor's prior to enrolling in POL 81199 . Upon completion of course requirements and candidacy exams, doctoral students must register for POL 81199 for two semesters for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter POL 81299 , until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Students select two concentrations. For the first concentration, students complete one Proseminar or Status of the Field course and three elective courses (12 credit hours). For the second concentration, students complete one Proseminar or Status of the Field course and two elective courses (9 credit hours).

American Politics and Policy Concentration Requirements

Conflict Analysis and Management Concentration Requirements

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• Students must spend two consecutive semesters pursuing doctoral studies.
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A scientist, a leftist and a former Mexico City mayor. Who is Claudia Sheinbaum?

Who is Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s future first female president?

Ruling party presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum greets supporters after the National Electoral Institute announced she held an irreversible lead in the election in Mexico City, early Monday, June 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

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Presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum arrives at her closing campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

A supporter of presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum takes a selfie with a campaign poster during Sheinbaum’s closing campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Ruling party presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum leaves the polling station where she voted during general elections in Mexico City, Sunday, June 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Ruling party presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum shows her ID as she leaves a polling station where she voted during general elections in Mexico City, Sunday, June 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Claudia Sheinbaum, who will be Mexico’s first woman leader in the nation’s more than 200 years of independence, captured the presidency by promising continuity.

The 61-year-old former Mexico City mayor and lifelong leftist ran a disciplined campaign capitalizing on her predecessor’s popularity before emerging victorious in Sunday’s vote, according to an official quick count. But with her victory now in hand, Mexicans will look to see how Sheinbaum, a very different personality from mentor and current President Andrés Manuel López Obrador , will assert herself.

While she hewed close to López Obrador politically and shares many of his ideas about the government’s role in addressing inequality, she is viewed as less combative and more data driven.

Sheinbaum’s background is in science. She has a Ph.D. in energy engineering. Her brother is a physicist. In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, Sheinbaum said, “I believe in science.”

Observers say that grounding showed itself in Sheinbaum’s actions as mayor during the COVID-19 pandemic, when her city of some 9 million people took a different approach from what López Obrador espoused at the national level.

While the federal government was downplaying the importance of coronavirus testing, Mexico City expanded its testing regimen. Sheinbaum set limits on businesses’ hours and capacity when the virus was rapidly spreading, even though López Obrador wanted to avoid any measures that would hurt the economy. And she publicly wore protective masks and urged social distancing while the president was still lunging into crowds.

Over 50 countries go to the polls in 2024

• The year will test even the most robust democracies. Read more on what’s to come here .
• Take a look at the 25 places where a change in leadership could resonate around the world.
• Keep track of the latest AP elections coverage from around the world here.

Mexico’s persistently high levels of violence will be one of her most immediate challenges after she takes office Oct. 1. On the campaign trail she said little more than that she would expand the quasi-military National Guard created by López Obrador and continue his strategy of targeting social ills that make so many young Mexicans easy targets for cartel recruitment.

“Let it be clear, it doesn’t mean an iron fist, wars or authoritarianism,” Sheinbaum said of her approach to tackling criminal gangs, during her final campaign event. “We will promote a strategy of addressing the causes and continue moving toward zero impunity.”

Sheinbaum has praised López Obrador profusely and said little that the president hasn’t said himself. She blamed neoliberal economic policies for condemning millions to poverty, promised a strong welfare state and praised Mexico’s large state-owned oil company, Pemex, while also promising to emphasize clean energy.

“For me, being from the left has to do with that, with guaranteeing the minimum rights to all residents,” Sheinbaum told the AP last year.

In contrast to López Obrador, who seemed to relish his highly public battles with other branches of the government and also the news media, Sheinbaum is expected by many observers to be less combative or at least more selective in picking her fights.

“It appears she’s going to go in a different direction,” said Ivonne Acuña Murillo, a political scientist at Iberoamerican University. “I don’t know how much.”

Sheinbaum will also be the first person from a Jewish background to lead the overwhelmingly Catholic country.

Follow the AP’s coverage of global elections at: https://apnews.com/hub/global-elections/