Feature Stories

Christopher T. Hill—Retiring but Not Idle

For almost four decades, Christopher T. Hill has devoted his professional career to science and technology policy. In 1994, he joined the faculty of Mason's Institute of Public Policy where he served as director of the doctoral program from 1995 to 1997 and again from 2008 to 2010. From 1997 to 2005, Hill served as vice provost for research at Mason. He is retiring from Mason where he has been a professor of public policy and technology, and moving to Tennessee. As of February 2011 he will have Professor Emeritus status.

PhD Alumni around the Globe—2010 Update

SPP doctoral alumni are working throughout the world in government, academia, and the private and nonprofit sectors. Individual feature stories, as well as highlights of accolades about SPP alumni, are often featured in Currents. Please browse the archives. The following is a list of recent accomplishments:

Policy Profile: Lee Lacy

Name: Lee Lacy

SPP Program of Study: Program for Social and Organizational Learning (PSOL, now ODKM, Organization Development and Knowledge Management)

The Center for Emerging Market Policies (CEMP), one of the School of Public Policy’s (SPP’s) newest research centers, is developing international research networks, particularly in Asia. Recently, CEMP co-organized and cofunded two back-to-back workshops in Singapore in October. The SPP delegation was headed by Professor Kingsley Haynes, former SPP dean, and Associate Professor Ramkishen Rajan, workshop co-organizer and CEMP codirector. Joining them were Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett, CEMP codirector; Assistant Professor Sonia Ketkar, CEMP associate director; Professor David Hart; and Assistant Professor Siona Listokin.

Eleven School of Public Policy students studying international commerce and policy (ICP) attended the 2010 Global Services Summit: Breaking the Deadlock on Services Trade and Investment, which was held in Washington, D.C., on September 22.

This fall, Mason graduate student Randall Judt is an intern at the White House.

Judt, who is studying international commerce and policy in the School of Public Policy, works at the Office of Presidential Correspondence.

Pinstripe Patronage – Not all bad

In their most recent book, Pinstripe Patronage: Political Favoritism from the Clubhouse to the White House…and  Beyond, Susan J. Tolchin (University Professor in the School of Public Policy) and Martin Tolchin (Senior Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars) reveal the history and evolution of political patronage.

Bill Schneider Shares Dirty Little Secrets of American Politics at Vision Series Lecture

In the next Vision Series lecture, "Dirty Little Secrets of American Politics," Bill Schneider, the Omer L. and Nancy Hirst Endowed Professor in Mason's School of Public Policy, will share some of his insights (and secrets) gleaned as an academic and political analyst. The lecture is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Center for the Arts on the Fairfax Campus.

Mason Opens New Business Incubator in Loudoun County

The Mason Enterprise Center (MEC), a university-based economic development enterprise operated by George Mason’s School of Public Policy, opened a new location in Leesburg, Va., on Oct. 1.

SPP’s New Faces, New Roles – 2010

With the arrival of a new academic year, the School of Public Policy (SPP) proudly introduces its newest faculty, staff, and alumni officers. Some names are new to the SPP community; others are familiar, although now in new professional roles.

When School of Public Policy Professor Naoru Koizumi read about the complex disparities of organ transplantation, she called on her colleagues at Mason and Inova Health System to develop a proposal to study the problem in depth. The team's primary interest is to learn how an optimal organ allocation system developed using systems science technologies can achieve more equitable and efficient organ allocation.

"Remember, all jobs come from entrepreneurs," says Zoltan Acs, professor of public policy at George Mason University. In May 2010, Acs accepted the appointment as chief economist for the U.S. Small Business Administration (US SBA).

Charismatic and Beloved, Visionary Swashbuckler –

These are words chosen to describe School of Public Policy Dean Kingsley Haynes by faculty and staff at a reception honoring him as he concludes twenty years as the Dean of George Mason University School of Public Policy (SPP).

Q & A with Incoming SPP Dean Edward Rhodes

Dr. Edward Rhodes grew up in the Midwest, in a small town west of Chicago. He went east, to Harvard, for college, and then to Princeton, where he studied American national security policy and earned his Masters in Public Affairs and his Ph.D.  His professional career has been at the intersection of research and public policy.  After brief stints at Cornell, Stanford, and back at Harvard, he joined the faculty at Rutgers, New Jersey’s state university.

Graduate Students and Policy Advisors Discuss the Future of Science and Technology

For three days graduate students interested in studying science and technology shared their research and listened to experts at the 10th annual Science and Technology In Society Conference in Washington, D.C. This interdisciplinary graduate student conference attracts students throughout the country and internationally to discuss global policy topics involving science and technology.

SPP Alumni Chapter 2010 Signature Event and Awards

American philosopher, political economist, and author Professor Francis Fukuyama was this year’s keynote speaker at the School of Public Policy (SPP) Alumni Chapter Signature event held on April 2 on the Arlington campus. Fukuyama is the founding director of SPP’s International Commerce and Policy Program. He is considered one of the world’s experts on democracy, development, and governance.

Professor Janine Wedel Charts a New System of Power and Influence

In her recent book, Shadow Elite: How the World’s New Power Brokers Undermine Democracy, Government, and the Free Market (Basic Books, 2009), Professor Janine Wedel examines how power brokers make decisions involving domestic and foreign policy without public input or awareness.

Europe and Emerging Asian Economies seek Advice from Professors Hughes Hallett and Rajan

School of Public Policy professors influence and impact international policy. This is readily seen in Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett’s work in Europe and in Professor Ramkishen Rajan’s work in Asia. Because of their respected and relevant research governments and institutions seek them out to provide economic analysis and advice.

Center for Regional Analysis - Understanding the Regional Economy

"People are overwhelmed by what's going on in the economy right now,” says Stephen Fuller, director of the School of Public Policy’s Center for Regional Analysis. “We can help businesses, governments, and individuals feel more comfortable, so when they read the newspaper they understand what to expect."

New Voices in Public Policy - Message from the Editor

The Editorial Board of New Voices in Public Policy (ISSN: 1947-2633) is pleased to present its fifth issue of outstanding work from students at the George Mason University School of Public Policy (SPP). Our peer-reviewed journal is comprised of work created by current Master’s level students.

PhD January 2010 SPP Graduates

Congratulations to our January 2010 doctoral graduates!