Davenport Institute

The Davenport Institute for Public Policy, founded in 1996, is the primary platform from which the School of Public Policy engages in the current marketplace of ideas. Through its fellows, conferences, publications, and distinguished lecture series the Davenport Institute draws on the unique spirit of the academic program to advance and elevate current policy debates.

In addition to its policy contributions, the Davenport Institute has afforded unique opportunities for graduate students to engage leading thinkers and policy makers in a close setting. Students consistently participate in project planning and research development, frequently serving as research assistants for institute fellows. Access to permanent research fellows and conference participants have constituted a unique policy laboratory that has brought a high degree of practical, real world experience to their academic training.

On June 13, 2000, the Institute was named in honor of David Davenport, the University's sixth president, and an endowment of $3 million was established.