Over the past 10 weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Working@Duke’s editorial team as part of the Charmaine McKissick-Melton Communications Fellowship. Mac Fellows are North Carolina Central University Mass Communications majors who are embedded in communications offices across Duke. During my time, I’ve learned about photography, graphic design, interviewing and writing.

A $5 million gift from Caryn Seidman-Becker will establish the Becker Government Leadership Initiative at the Sanford School of Public Policy to encourage and support Duke student interest in public service, especially at the federal level. The gift will create a six-year pilot program designed to identify, recruit, inspire, and support exceptional undergraduate students from their first year through graduation as they prepare for careers in federal service and leadership in public service.

The most revealing measure of U.S. competitive power isn’t found in military operations against Iran or a looming $1.5 trillion defense budget. It’s in our private economy. SpaceX closed with a market cap larger than the gross domestic product of most nations on June 12, its first day of public trading. In the prior two weeks, Anthropic and OpenAI filed to go public, both chasing $1 trillion valuations.

Celebrations of America’s founding and reflections on its ideals often overlook the central role of civil-military relations. This is a mistake. In the Declaration of Independence, a chief complaint was that King George III “affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.” George Washington himself worried about this abuse of power and went to great pains to avoid it in his own career.

In this conversation, Sanford School of Public Policy professor Deondra Rose reflects on the power of education and why learning to engage across differences is essential for the next generation of leaders. Drawing from her own journey, Rose shares how educators and families can help students develop the skills needed to make a meaningful impact.

Noah Pickus is head of global strategy and partnerships and senior adviser to the provost at Duke University and the co-author of The New Global Universities: Reinventing Education in the 21st Century (Princeton University Press, 2023). Recently, Noah shared with me information about a new project he is leading called the Future Universities Alliance. I asked if Noah would answer my questions about this new network, and he graciously agreed.

Manoj Mohanan has been appointed vice provost for interdisciplinary programs, effective July 1, Provost Alec D. Gallimore announced Wednesday. Mohanan is the Creed C. Black Professor of Public Policy and has served as interim dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy since 2024. He also holds faculty appointments in economics and global health.

Duke’s pioneers are the people and organizations who push the University forward, relentlessly reimagining every aspect of our community with boundless energy and passion. They question the status quo and refuse to accept anything that is unjust or unsatisfactory. The pioneers of this year’s Chron15 facilitated difficult conversations, founded academic programs that transformed the Duke experience and sparked community-driven change across campus and the world.

Public policy is a discipline that recognizes that people want and need different things, and different policy processes can lead to dramatically different outcomes. Yet, despite these apparent differences, competing worldviews are still working towards a common goal of making the world better. It is just that the better world might look different depending on where you view it from. At a time when Americans are increasingly concerned about the tone of our political discourse, the Sanford...

On Saturday, Friends of Duke hosted a panel of professors, administrators and athletes to discuss the funding of college athletics vs. academics in the wake of financial vulnerability and seismic shifts across athletic department budgets. The panel, called “The New Arms Race: Are We Funding College Athletics at the Expense of Academics?,” was hosted by Sue Wasiolek, the longtime former Dean of Students and current adjunct associate professor in Duke’s Civil Discourse Project.

Peter Feaver is made for Empathy. As the Director of Duke’s American Grand Strategy program, Peter believes that being able to stand in another’s shoes is a core value. That’s why he organizes an event every four years that gathers Republican and Democratic presidential advisors in discussion.

“Democracy is something that people must always be doing.” With that line, three-time Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Rick Atkinson framed a March 3 conversation at Duke about the American Revolution, leadership and the enduring responsibilities of citizenship. Atkinson, this year’s Egan Professor for American Grand Strategy, joined Distinguished Lecturing Fellow John Hillen for a fireside chat in Reynolds Industries Theater hosted by the American Grand Strategy program.

Author Rick Atkinson is known for his gripping narratives of military conflict, from World War II to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and historian, Atkinson last year released his second book on the American Revolution, The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, which debuted at the top of the nonfiction bestseller list, and was featured in Ken Burns' 2025 documentary series on PBS.

Former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler (2019- 2021) and his successor Michael Regan (2021-2024) shared an enlightening and inspiring conversation moderated by Vice President & Vice Provost for Climate & Sustainability Dr. Toddi Steelman in the Karsh Alumni and Visitor Center. Taking place on January 9th, this discussion was the first installment of the Sanford School of Public Policy’s “Bridging the Divide” series, meant to “feature bipartisan dialogues with...

What makes creating policy in a democracy challenging? We asked Congressman David Price, who helped start Duke’s public policy program and represented North Carolina’s Fourth District in the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years. He is now a Professor Emeritus at Duke and a Distinguished Fellow with Polis, Duke’s Center for Politics.

On Wednesday evening, members of the Duke community joined POLIS for a discussion exploring the question: "Why Public Service?" The conversation, moderated by Sanford Professor of the Practice Jenni Owen, featured POLIS Distinguished Fellows Dr. John Hillen, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State and decorated combat veteran; Michael Regan, former EPA Administrator; and Danny Werfel, former IRS...

“If I can get someone from being 100% opposed to 75% opposed…that’s a win.” Attorney General Jackson came well-prepared for his November 12th Sanford Distinguished Lecture, considering he brought with him a book that contained addresses from the former North Carolina Governor, Senator, and Duke President Terry Sanford. He utilized the tome to point out that then-Governor Sanford was cognizant of the dangers of gerrymandering in the future, something Jackson fought to counteract while in the...

Congressman Ro Khanna outlined a vision of economic prosperity, bipartisanship and a new generation of American political leadership in his discussion with Frank Bruni, Eugene C. Patterson professor of the practice of journalism and public policy, on Monday evening. The discussion was part of Provost Alec Gallimore’s “Independent Thinkers” speaker series and Initiative on Pluralism, Free Inquiry and Belonging, which seeks to “foster constructive conversations across diverse perspectives and...

Established and emerging environmental leaders came together Thursday for a celebration of the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability’s 20th anniversary, where University stakeholders reflected on a legacy of innovation and looked to carry the torch forward in a collective “quest for yes.” First established in 2005, the Institute has served for two decades as a hub for research, education and policy design. Since its merger with the Duke University Energy Initiative in...

"Face these times with purpose, and, to use a word that has become unfashionable in our politics these days, with hope.” Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg concluded his transformative lecture with a call to action, an obligatory call in a defining political moment to not turn apathetic but to use the lessons of history to shape the future. He emphasized that we have no excuse to be pessimistic because of the countless heroes that have faced adversity before us and the future...

Duke University’s Judith Deckers Prize honors excellence in undergraduate teaching, recognizing faculty whose innovative practices and deep commitment have shaped the student experience both inside and outside the classroom. The award celebrates individual achievements and affirms Duke's commitment to fostering a culture of teaching excellence at the undergraduate level.

This past week has not been America's best. Political violence. Hateful rhetoric. Social media comments leading to job terminations. Testing the limits of free speech. And it all started from a tragic public debate on a college campus in Utah. Many are going about it the wrong way. How about example of those that are (and have been) doing it the right way? Two Duke seniors join the pod to discuss the The Lemur, a publication that allows students to speak freely on a wide variety of...

David Schanzer, a Duke University professor, spoke with WCNC Charlotte about how the death of Charlie Kirk is affecting students and campus life after attending a Civil Discourse Project open forum.

In the latest episode of Sanford's Policy 360 podcast, guest John Hillen says that only a third of native-born Americans can pass the citizenship test that American immigrants are required to pass. He is part of a new bipartisan commission trying to change that. The goal is to revitalize the teaching of American civics and history.

A new volume of essays exploring the on-screen politics and real-world implications of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s expansion into the multiverse. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) moved on from the Thanos storyline, it became more political than ever—both on screen and off.

Imagine a “typical” Carolina classroom, and you might picture students, mostly 18-22 years old, wearing hoodies or t-shirts with a UNC logo, listening to a professor who is several years their senior. The UNC School of Civic Life and Leadership (SCiLL) is changing that typical scene this summer, turning college and university faculty from around the country into students as 40 professors visit campus to learn how to teach civil discourse in their own classrooms. The faculty seminars, with...

When an airplane hits rough turbulence, most passengers don’t look at the wings or the engine—they look at the flight attendants. If they’re calm, passengers usually stay calm. But if they’re alarmed, then there’s reason for worry. That quiet signal—the composed or concerned face of someone who knows the system from the inside—matters. And that’s the metaphorical moment our federal government is living in right now.

Eleven of the 12 members of the board that oversees the Fulbright Scholars Program resigned June 11 in response to what they described as unprecedented political interference by the Trump administration. Among those who stepped down was David Price, former congressman and Polis Distinguished Fellow at the Sanford School of Public Policy.

On June 9, Duke administrators unveiled the preliminary results of the Inclusive Excellence Working Group, announcing new “principles and recommended guidance” to align the University with both federal law and Duke’s institutional values. These values — “respect, trust, inclusion, discovery and excellence” — were reaffirmed as foundational to campus life. In their message, administrators reiterated Duke’s “longstanding goal” of “creating an inclusive community.”

New summer reading from Duke authors includes timely books on race, history and political polarization, useful books on finance, health and mentorship and good reads of poetry and fiction. Plus: for the kids, there’s a primer on subatomic particles. Below is a roundup of some of the most recent and upcoming published titles. Many of the books, including new editions of previous titles, can be found on the “Duke Authors” display shelves near the circulation desk in Perkins Library.

Michael S. Regan, who recently served as the 16th Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is joining Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy as a Polis Distinguished Fellow for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year. Regan will also be actively involved with the Civil Discourse Project (CDP) at Duke.

Danny Werfel, who recently served as the 50th Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is a Sanford Master of Public Policy alum (MPP'97), is returning to Duke as a Polis Distinguished Fellow for the upcoming academic year. Werfel will also be actively involved with Duke's Civil Discourse Project (CDP).

Wednesday evening at Belmont University, I had the privilege of witnessing something increasingly rare: a genuine friendship navigating discourse with soul and grace. Watching Abdullah T. Antepli—Director of Polis: Center for Politics at Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy and co-founder of the groundbreaking Muslim Leadership Initiative at the Shilom Hartman Institute.

Two Duke alumni have been awarded the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship for graduate study at Stanford University. Class of 2024 graduates Chloe Nguyen and Neil Upreti have each received up to three years of financial support at Stanford University. Nguyen and Upreti are members of the eighth Knight-Hennessy cohort and are the 13th and 14th Duke student to receive the scholarship since the program welcomed its first class in 2018.

ACTA President Michael Poliakoff welcomes The Honorable John Hillen, distinguished resident fellow at the Center for Politics in Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy and an executive-in-residence of the Political Science Department. Dr. Hillen is a combat veteran and Bronze Star recipient, a former assistant U.S. secretary of state, a successful business leader, and the author of The Strategy Dialogues: A Primer on Business Strategy and Strategic Management.

Here’s a novel idea in 2025: You disagree with your friend’s political views. You could: a) Cancel the friend on social media b) End the friendship in real life c) Start a magazine where classmates with opposing views share their essays to better understand each other

Washington, D.C., April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The author of an authoritative history of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) pledged a portion of the royalties from her book to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). Inspired by the work and the gesture, Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, presented copies of the book to presidents and chancellors of two- and four-year HBCUs and historically Black community colleges (HBCCs).

In the wake of the financial crisis of 2008, Congress established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the CFPB. It protects Americans from predatory practices by consumer finance companies. The CFPB enforces federal laws and investigates fraud and abuse. It has sent over 6.8 million complaints to companies for resolution so far. The bureau has been targeted for massive cuts by the new administration which, thus far, have been blocked by a federal judge.

It was during a trip to a local record store in the early ’90s that Eric Mlyn, Lecturer in the Sanford School of Public Policy, began his longtime obsession with memorabilia from the Grateful Dead. What started as one poster of Jerry Garcia quickly grew into a collection too large for a wall or room.

Duke students gathered for a thought-provoking Civil Discourse Roundtable on immigration, co-hosted by Polis: Center for Politics, the Civil Discourse Project, Duke College Republicans, and Duke Democrats. Moderated by Professor Abdullah Antepli and Hannah Postel, the discussion provided a space for students from across the political spectrum to share personal experiences, challenge perspectives, and engage in a constructive debate on one of today’s most pressing issues.

Duke University professor Deondra Rose understands the importance of protecting, investing and celebrating the legacy of historically black colleges and universities. It’s something that she wants readers of her latest book to understand as well. In the book titled “The Power of Black Excellence: HBCUs and the Fight for American Democracy,” the history and political science scholar, who serves as an associate professor at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy, writes about...

Former U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., spoke of the importance of U.S. representatives bridging partisan divides to enact meaningful legislation during a Monday event at Duke. The conversation, titled “Bridging the Divide: A Fireside Chat,” was moderated by Provost Alec Gallimore and hosted by the Office of the Provost, the Sanford School of Public Policy and POLIS: Center for Politics.

A powerful and revealing history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which have been essential for empowering Black citizens and for the ongoing fight for democracy in the US.

On Wednesday, February 21st, Polis: Center for Politics hosted Polis Distinguished Fellows Huma Abedin and Reggie Love (Duke '05) to discuss their respective memoirs, Both/And and Power Forward. The evening focused on the Distinguished Fellows' pathways to politics and how they became confidantes for the prolific political figures of former President Obama and Hillary Clinton, respectively. The two reflected on their careers in politics and public service, offered advice for being a valued...

Duke’s Center for Politics and the Duke Triangle Alumni Chapter hosted an event previewing the 2024 presidential election Monday evening. The Karsh Alumni and Visitor Center had nearly every seat filled for the event, called The 2024 Election, One Year Out. The conversation was guided by journalist John Harwood, Trinity ’78, who was joined by two national political strategists, Sarah Longwell, president and CEO of Longwell Partners and publisher of The Bulwark, and Michael Podhorzer...

Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) experience higher rates of discrimination and violence when compared to cis, heterosexual peers. However, violent crimes and other hate incidents against SGM persons are consistently not reported and prosecuted because of chronic distrust between the SGM community and police. Brazil is one of the most dangerous countries for SGM persons in the world.

Huma Abedin, political strategist and vice chair of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, is the author of the new memoir "Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds." Abedin tells the remarkable story of her Indian and Pakistani family, her Muslim faith, her Saudi Arabian childhood, her 1996 White House internship with then-First Lady Hillary Clinton, and her subsequent career as personal aide, trusted advisor, Middle East expert, and chief of staff for the former New York Senator.

The Marvel Cinematic ​Universe (MCU) is the most expansive and widely viewed fictional narrative in the history of cinema. In 2009, Disney purchased Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion, including its subsidiary film production company, Marvel Studios. Since then, the MCU—the collection of multimedia Marvel Studios products that share a single fictional storyline—has grown from two feature films to thirty interconnected movies, nine streaming Disney+ series, a half dozen short films, and...

Miriam Sapiro has been chosen as the inaugural Polis Distinguished Fellow at Sanford’s School of Public Policy at Duke University. Ambassador Sapiro brings to Duke a wealth of experience as a senior government official and business leader. She has led teams at the White House and the State Department that addressed foreign policy, national security and economic challenges around the world. She has extensive experience working in the private sector with companies and non-governmental...