Sanford’s purpose is to produce knowledge and leadership for the next generation of policy challenges.
Energy & Environment Policy
Sanford equips students with the communication, analytical and ethical tools to protect our planet. Our top-ranked faculty has expertise in clean and renewable energy sources and technologies, climate change risks, persistent pollution, natural resource preservation, and environmental justice.
Health Policy
Sanford equips students with the ethical and analytical tools to design evidence-driven policies that promote the health of all citizens and communities. Faculty are experts in the economic, sociological and political forces that shape health care delivery and outcomes in the U.S. and globally.
International Development
Sanford’s excellence in international development equips students with essential communication, evaluative and analytical tools to promote prosperity worldwide. Sanford faculty have active research projects in more than 20 countries on issues including economics, environment, governance, health, energy, and migration.
Media & Democracy
Media and democracy are cornerstones of a free society. Sanford students learn essential communication, ethical and analytical tools to develop as leaders, public servants, journalists and engaged citizens. Faculty expertise includes elections, media, fact-checking, data governance, citizen mobilization, the non-profit sector and philanthropy as well as the relationship between the public and private sector.
National Security & Foreign Policy
Sanford’s focus on national security and foreign policy equips students with the communication, ethical and analytical tools to address the rapidly evolving security challenges of the 21st century. Faculty’s expertise include threats and opportunities from cyber-attacks and terrorism to international cooperation on many security-related issues.
Social Policy
Sanford gives students the communication, ethical and analytical tools to use evidence-driven policies to support the wellbeing of all citizens and communities. Faculty expertise includes education, child and family policies, poverty, racism and structural inequality, criminal justice, food policy, labor and immigration issues.
Tech Policy
Sanford equips students with communication, ethical and analytical tools to address issues such as privacy, cybersecurity, free expression and the impact on historically disenfranchised populations. Our faculty expertise includes national security, healthcare, media and democracy, and gender violence prevention.