Thanks to The Pearson Institute Assistant Director Alex Carr for this post!

As fall quarter kicks into full gear, we get a lot of questions from students about how they can get involved with The Pearson Institute.

But first, what is The Pearson Institute? The Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts is an institute affiliated with Harris Public Policy that promotes discussion, understanding, and resolution of global conflicts through research, education, and engagement with the global policy community. The Pearson Institute identifies data-driven strategies to reduce or mitigate global conflicts and seeks to inform policy in ways that help create a more peaceful world.

One of the best ways for students to interact with The Pearson Institute is through its events. The Pearson Institute hosts discussions with key policy leaders from around the world through different event series. Highlights from the past year include presentations from: Jonathan Powell, Chief British Negotiator on the Northern Ireland peace process; Ximena Cadena, former Deputy Colombian Minister of Finance; and David Miliband, CEO of the International Rescue Committee. This month alone, students will have the opportunity to hear from Pascal Brice, Director General of the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons, and Roberta Jacobson, former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.

The annual Pearson Global Forum provides students the opportunity to hear from expert academics, practitioners and policymakers who work on issues related to conflict and peace. The 2018 inaugural Pearson Global Forum brought together diverse speakers, such as Nancy Lindborg, President of the U.S. Institute of Peace, Senator George Mitchell, U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland and the Middle East, and Pearson Institute faculty, to address the intersection between research and policy.

Students can also engage academically with the Institute through its faculty, who offer a wide variety of courses open to University of Chicago students. Courses such as African Development, taught by Professor and Institute Director James Robinson; Conflict: Root Causes, Consequences, and Solutions for the Future, taught by Professor Oeindrila Dube; and Order and Violence: Political Economy of Development, taught by Professor Chris Blattman, allow students to engage in rigorous analysis of conflict and development.

Both the International Development and Global Conflict Studies Certificates offer further opportunity to study topics related to The Pearson Institute. By focusing on comparative development, political economy, and applied methodology, this interdisciplinary course of study is designed to prepare graduate students of diverse interests for careers in government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, or multinational corporations.

Furthermore, the Pearson Institute International Conflict Seminars (PICS) are new programs where students can focus on critical issues of global conflict through immersive international experiences. By engaging with government officials, NGOs, community leaders and more, students can gain a holistic perspective of global conflicts. 2018 PICS programs include Northern Ireland and Jordan.

Finally, for those yet to apply to Harris Public Policy, the Pearson Fellowship presents an opportunity for students to engage in leadership and professional development programming in the field of conflict study and international development.

This year’s cohort of students at Harris are taking full advantage of the offerings of The Pearson Institute. We can’t wait to see what next year brings!

Read more information about current Fellows and Scholars here