Jump to content

James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 29°43′00″N 95°24′10″W / 29.716579°N 95.402693°W / 29.716579; -95.402693
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Line 23: Line 23:
==Research Programs==
==Research Programs==


===Center for the Middle East===
⚫
* Conflict Resolution
The Baker Institute has had a long-standing connection to the Middle East and policy related to the region. The Center has been involved in conflict resolution projects and in bringing non-partisan perspectives to the table. The focus of the Center includes the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Levant, and Women and Human Rights in the Middle East. Research has focused on the civil war in Syria, security in Afghanistan, U.S. relations in the region, energy as it relates to the Middle East, and analysis of the Iran nuclear deal. The program brings together world-renowned speakers and researchers to offer their insights into the complex challenges facing the Middle East. <ref> http://bakerinstitute.org/center-for-the-middle-east/about-center-middle-east/ </ref>

Experts in the Center for the Middle East include Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian, Samih al-Abid, Andrew Bowen, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Yair Hirschfeld, Marwa Shalaby, Ussama Makdisi, and Ariana Marnicio.


===China Studies===
The Transnational China Project studies contemporary China and the changes that the nation is undergoing. Currently, the project is focusing on “exploring how economic globalization is changing the ways the Chinese identify with and work with each other.” <ref> http://bakerinstitute.org/china-studies-program/about-china-studies/ </ref> The Transnational China project is also working on transcribing public service announcements from various cities in China, which are available at the Center for Digital Scholarship at Fondren Library at Rice University.

Experts include Aynne Kokas, Steven W. Lewis, and Richard Smith.

===Drug Policy===
===Drug Policy===
The Drug Policy Program focuses on implications of the War on Drugs and “pursues research and open debate on local and national drug policies based on common sense, driven by human rights interests, and focused on reducing the death, disease, crime and suffering associated with drug use.” Experts in the Drug Policy Program often write on challenges to regulating drugs and on the effects of drug use. <ref> http://bakerinstitute.org/drug-policy-program/about-drug-program/ </ref>
The Drug Policy Program focuses on implications of the War on Drugs and “pursues research and open debate on local and national drug policies based on common sense, driven by human rights interests, and focused on reducing the death, disease, crime and suffering associated with drug use.” Experts in the Drug Policy Program often write on challenges to regulating drugs and on the effects of drug use. <ref> http://bakerinstitute.org/drug-policy-program/about-drug-program/ </ref>


Experts include Gary Hale, Nathan P. Jones, and William Martin.
Experts include Gary Hale, Nathan P. Jones, and William Martin.

⚫
===Health Policy Forum===
The Health Policy Forum is a membership-based group whose corporate and private contributors help support the Baker Institute’s health policy research. Drawing on the expertise of Rice University and the Texas Medical Center, the Health Policy Forum offers a unique setting for medical and policy professionals to discuss issues of growing concern, including options for controlling skyrocketing medical costs, improving access to health care, and managing the growing burden of diseases such as diabetes and obesity. The forum, which includes the institute’s Health Economics Program, also provides objective analysis of reform proposals. The goal of the Health Policy Forum is to facilitate the exchange of ideas in order to spur groundbreaking research and policy decisions, and to foster improved understanding of national and global health concerns, as well as those in Texas, so as to improve the quality of the health care system overall.
The Health Policy Forum is tracking implementation of the Affordable Care Act through published research, media and government resources. The latest HPF peer-reviewed publications are studies on the cost-drivers of complex cancer surgery. Other projects include an analysis of regional variations of cancer treatment in Texas, a study of the effect of smoking bans on hospitalization rates, and a study of whether shared savings programs for physicians can reduce overall patient health care expenditures. <ref> http://bakerinstitute.org/health-policy-program/ </ref>

⚫
===International Economics===
The International Economics Program focuses particularly on emerging markets, but also more broadly on debt, China’s economic growth, and governing the global economy. Experts produce policy recommendations on “how global economic trends are developing, and what policies can optimally address the challenges that arise.” <ref> http://bakerinstitute.org/international-economics-program/about-international-economics/ </ref>

Experts include Russell A. Green, Dagobert Brito, Mahmoud A. El-Gamal, Malcolm Gillis, Ronald Soligo, and Ted Temzelides.
⚫
===Latin America Initiative===
The Latin America Initiative has two main projects, the Americas Project and the Vecinos Lecture Series. The initiative focuses broadly on the challenges and opportunities that face the region and “brings together leading stakeholders from government, the private sector, academia and civil society to exchange their views on pressing issues confronting the region.” <ref> http://bakerinstitute.org/the-latin-america-initiative-program/about-latin-america-initiative/ </ref>

Experts include Erika de la Garza, Roberto Echandi, Gary J. Hale, Marta Lagos, Francisco J. Monaldi, Pedro Da Motta Veiga, José Antonio Ocampo, Tony Payan, Constantino Urcuyo, Moramay Lopez-Alonso, Nicholas Shumway, Lisa Guáqueta, and Dylan McNally.

⚫
===Religion and Public Policy===
The Religion Policy Program studies the effects of religion on politics in America and around the world on a broad range of topics, including voting patters, the role of faith-based organizations, conflict resolution, and religious fundamentalism in the Middle East. Currently, specific research topics are “the appropriate relationship between religion and politics in the United States; the ways in which knowledge of religious factors can aid in both domestic and foreign policy; social and political views within evangelical Christianity that are moving beyond a limited focus on such wedge issues as abortion and homosexuality; and increased opposition to Islamic extremism among moderate Muslim thinkers and movements.” <ref> http://bakerinstitute.org/religion-policy-program/about-religion-polcy/ </ref>

Experts in the Religion and Public Policy Program include William Martin, David Cook, and Elaine Howard Ecklund.

⚫
===Space Policy===
President John F. Kennedy challenged the nation to go to the moon in a speech in Rice Stadium on September 12, 1962. Houston and Rice have close connections to the space program and NASA, and the Space Policy Program uniquely leverages these connections to influence national and international discourse on issues like manned and unmanned spacecraft and private companies in space. Because of the proximity to the Texas Medical Center, the Space Program has recently begun a collaboration with physicians interested in space medicine. The International Space Medicine Summit brings together “leading physicians, space biomedical scientists, engineers, astronauts and cosmonauts from the space-faring nations for high-level discussions about the research needed to prevent and/or mitigate the medical and biomedical challenges spacefarers experience in long-duration spaceflight.” <ref> http://bakerinstitute.org/space-policy-program/about-space-policy/ </ref>

Experts include George W. S. Abbey and Neal F. Lane.

===Science and Technology===
The Science and Technology Program studies the gap that often emerges between new sciences and technologies and applicable public policy. Given the relationship between funding and research, it is especially important that policymakers are aware of scientific and technological progress. Helping the public with knowledge and awareness also serves as a priority. The program serves as a springboard for communication and debate and focuses on issues that include “ space, health, medicine, energy and the environment, national and domestic security, science education, and the public’s understanding and trust of science.” <ref> http://bakerinstitute.org/science-technology/about-the-science-technology-program/ </ref>

Experts include Robert Bazell, Neal F. Lane, Kristin R.W. Matthews, Maude Rowland Cuchiara, Ronald L. Sass, Deepak Srivastava, Robert Curl, Andre Droxler, Elaine Howard Ecklund, and George Romar.
⚫
===Tax and Expenditure Policy===
The Tax and Expenditure Policy program focuses on tax reform and public finance. The experts in this program regularly consult on policy topics for governments, agencies, and development institutions. Project focus on “earnings volatility, income mobility and inequality, alternative funding options for public schools, state and local investment tax incentives, state sales taxation of services, the optimal taxation of electronic commerce, the effects of the property tax, the effects of adopting education vouchers, and public employee pension liabilities.” <ref> http://bakerinstitute.org/tax-and-expenditure-policy/about-tax-and-expenditure-policy/ </ref>

Experts in the Tax and Expenditure Policy program include John Diamond, Peter Mieszkowski, and George Zodrow.

===Other Research Areas===
⚫
* Conflict Resolution
* Center for Energy Studies
* Center for Energy Studies
⚫
* Health Policy Forum
* Information Technology Policy
⚫
* International Economics
* Kelly Day Endowment on the Status of Women and Human Rights in the Middle East
* Kelly Day Endowment on the Status of Women and Human Rights in the Middle East
⚫
* Latin America Initiative
* Public Diplomacy
* Public Diplomacy
⚫
* Religion and Public Policy
* [http://bakerinstitute.org/programs/scitech Science and Technology]
⚫
* Space Policy
⚫
* Tax and Expenditure Policy
* Transnational China Project


==Lecture Series==
==Lecture Series==

Revision as of 19:23, 14 February 2014

James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy
Formation1993
TypePublic policy think tank
Location
Director
Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian
Budget
$6.76 million (2012)[1]
Websitebakerinstitute.org

The James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, often shortened to Baker Institute, is an American think tank on the campus of Rice University in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1993, it has become a notable center of public policy research. It is named for James Baker, former United States Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury. The institute's founding director, Edward P. Djerejian, is the former United States Ambassador to Israel and Syria and Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. The institute's board of advisors include William Barnett (Chair), Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright and Rice University's President David Leebron. The institute employs scholars and researchers from a variety of backgrounds.

The institute concentrates on the public policy questions of the day. It is an integral part of Rice University, and the university's faculty and students are involved in its research programs and public events. The institute is located on the Rice campus in James A. Baker III Hall, which also houses the School of Social Sciences (including the departments of Economics and Political Science).

The institute is non-partisan and tries to bridge the gap between theory and practice in public policy. Its current research includes: Arab media and politics, conflict resolution, drug policy, energy, health economics, homeland security and terrorism, international economics, religion and culture, science and technology policy, space policy, tax and expenditure policy, the Americas Project (Latin American policy), the Transnational China Project (Chinese culture and policy), urban studies, and the U.S.-Mexico Project (issues about the U.S. border with Mexico).

The institute hosts events with national figures, which are available on their website via streaming technology. It is supported mainly by donor contributions.

The institute is a sponsoring organization for the Iraq Study Group.

From 1995 through 2001, the Baker Institute awarded the Enron Prize for Distinguished Public Service.

Research Programs

Center for the Middle East

The Baker Institute has had a long-standing connection to the Middle East and policy related to the region. The Center has been involved in conflict resolution projects and in bringing non-partisan perspectives to the table. The focus of the Center includes the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Levant, and Women and Human Rights in the Middle East. Research has focused on the civil war in Syria, security in Afghanistan, U.S. relations in the region, energy as it relates to the Middle East, and analysis of the Iran nuclear deal. The program brings together world-renowned speakers and researchers to offer their insights into the complex challenges facing the Middle East. [2]

Experts in the Center for the Middle East include Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian, Samih al-Abid, Andrew Bowen, Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Yair Hirschfeld, Marwa Shalaby, Ussama Makdisi, and Ariana Marnicio.


China Studies

The Transnational China Project studies contemporary China and the changes that the nation is undergoing. Currently, the project is focusing on “exploring how economic globalization is changing the ways the Chinese identify with and work with each other.” [3] The Transnational China project is also working on transcribing public service announcements from various cities in China, which are available at the Center for Digital Scholarship at Fondren Library at Rice University.

Experts include Aynne Kokas, Steven W. Lewis, and Richard Smith.

Drug Policy

The Drug Policy Program focuses on implications of the War on Drugs and “pursues research and open debate on local and national drug policies based on common sense, driven by human rights interests, and focused on reducing the death, disease, crime and suffering associated with drug use.” Experts in the Drug Policy Program often write on challenges to regulating drugs and on the effects of drug use. [4]

Experts include Gary Hale, Nathan P. Jones, and William Martin.

Health Policy Forum

The Health Policy Forum is a membership-based group whose corporate and private contributors help support the Baker Institute’s health policy research. Drawing on the expertise of Rice University and the Texas Medical Center, the Health Policy Forum offers a unique setting for medical and policy professionals to discuss issues of growing concern, including options for controlling skyrocketing medical costs, improving access to health care, and managing the growing burden of diseases such as diabetes and obesity. The forum, which includes the institute’s Health Economics Program, also provides objective analysis of reform proposals. The goal of the Health Policy Forum is to facilitate the exchange of ideas in order to spur groundbreaking research and policy decisions, and to foster improved understanding of national and global health concerns, as well as those in Texas, so as to improve the quality of the health care system overall. The Health Policy Forum is tracking implementation of the Affordable Care Act through published research, media and government resources. The latest HPF peer-reviewed publications are studies on the cost-drivers of complex cancer surgery. Other projects include an analysis of regional variations of cancer treatment in Texas, a study of the effect of smoking bans on hospitalization rates, and a study of whether shared savings programs for physicians can reduce overall patient health care expenditures. [5]

International Economics

The International Economics Program focuses particularly on emerging markets, but also more broadly on debt, China’s economic growth, and governing the global economy. Experts produce policy recommendations on “how global economic trends are developing, and what policies can optimally address the challenges that arise.” [6]

Experts include Russell A. Green, Dagobert Brito, Mahmoud A. El-Gamal, Malcolm Gillis, Ronald Soligo, and Ted Temzelides.

Latin America Initiative

The Latin America Initiative has two main projects, the Americas Project and the Vecinos Lecture Series. The initiative focuses broadly on the challenges and opportunities that face the region and “brings together leading stakeholders from government, the private sector, academia and civil society to exchange their views on pressing issues confronting the region.” [7]

Experts include Erika de la Garza, Roberto Echandi, Gary J. Hale, Marta Lagos, Francisco J. Monaldi, Pedro Da Motta Veiga, José Antonio Ocampo, Tony Payan, Constantino Urcuyo, Moramay Lopez-Alonso, Nicholas Shumway, Lisa Guáqueta, and Dylan McNally.

Religion and Public Policy

The Religion Policy Program studies the effects of religion on politics in America and around the world on a broad range of topics, including voting patters, the role of faith-based organizations, conflict resolution, and religious fundamentalism in the Middle East. Currently, specific research topics are “the appropriate relationship between religion and politics in the United States; the ways in which knowledge of religious factors can aid in both domestic and foreign policy; social and political views within evangelical Christianity that are moving beyond a limited focus on such wedge issues as abortion and homosexuality; and increased opposition to Islamic extremism among moderate Muslim thinkers and movements.” [8]

Experts in the Religion and Public Policy Program include William Martin, David Cook, and Elaine Howard Ecklund.

Space Policy

President John F. Kennedy challenged the nation to go to the moon in a speech in Rice Stadium on September 12, 1962. Houston and Rice have close connections to the space program and NASA, and the Space Policy Program uniquely leverages these connections to influence national and international discourse on issues like manned and unmanned spacecraft and private companies in space. Because of the proximity to the Texas Medical Center, the Space Program has recently begun a collaboration with physicians interested in space medicine. The International Space Medicine Summit brings together “leading physicians, space biomedical scientists, engineers, astronauts and cosmonauts from the space-faring nations for high-level discussions about the research needed to prevent and/or mitigate the medical and biomedical challenges spacefarers experience in long-duration spaceflight.” [9]

Experts include George W. S. Abbey and Neal F. Lane.

Science and Technology

The Science and Technology Program studies the gap that often emerges between new sciences and technologies and applicable public policy. Given the relationship between funding and research, it is especially important that policymakers are aware of scientific and technological progress. Helping the public with knowledge and awareness also serves as a priority. The program serves as a springboard for communication and debate and focuses on issues that include “ space, health, medicine, energy and the environment, national and domestic security, science education, and the public’s understanding and trust of science.” [10]

Experts include Robert Bazell, Neal F. Lane, Kristin R.W. Matthews, Maude Rowland Cuchiara, Ronald L. Sass, Deepak Srivastava, Robert Curl, Andre Droxler, Elaine Howard Ecklund, and George Romar.

Tax and Expenditure Policy

The Tax and Expenditure Policy program focuses on tax reform and public finance. The experts in this program regularly consult on policy topics for governments, agencies, and development institutions. Project focus on “earnings volatility, income mobility and inequality, alternative funding options for public schools, state and local investment tax incentives, state sales taxation of services, the optimal taxation of electronic commerce, the effects of the property tax, the effects of adopting education vouchers, and public employee pension liabilities.” [11]

Experts in the Tax and Expenditure Policy program include John Diamond, Peter Mieszkowski, and George Zodrow.

Other Research Areas

  • Conflict Resolution
  • Center for Energy Studies
  • Kelly Day Endowment on the Status of Women and Human Rights in the Middle East
  • Public Diplomacy

Lecture Series

  • Chevron Excellence in Leadership Energy Lecture Series
  • Robert A. Mosbacher Global Issues Series
  • Shell Distinguished Lecture Series
  • Civic Scientist Lecture Series

Key people

  • Secretary of State James A. Baker III (Honorary Chair)
  • Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian
  • George Abbey
  • Dr. Allen Matusow
  • Dr. Samih Al-Abed
  • Joe Barnes
  • Robert Bazell
  • Andrew Bowen
  • Dr. Douglas Brinkley
  • Dr. Christopher Bronk
  • Kristian Coates Ulrichsen
  • Erika De La Garza
  • Dr. John W. Diamond
  • Dr. Elaine Howard Ecklund
  • Dr. Russell A. Green
  • Gary J. Hale
  • Dr. Yair Hirschfeld
  • Dr. Vivian Ho
  • Dr. Peter Hotez
  • Dr. Mark P. Jones
  • Dr. Nathan P. Jones
  • Dr. Hagop M. Kantarjian
  • Dr. Aynne Kokas
  • Dr. Jim Krane
  • Marta Lagos
  • Dr. Neal Lane
  • Dr. Steven W. Lewis
  • Dr. Michael Maher
  • Dr. David R. Mares
  • Elena Marks
  • Dr. D. Michael Lindsay (former)
  • Dr. William Martin
  • Dr. Kirstin Matthews
  • Dr. Kenneth B. Medlock III
  • Dr. John Mendelsohn
  • Dr. Francisco Monaldi
  • Dr. José Antonio Ocampo
  • Dr. Tony Payan
  • Dr. Maude Rowland Cuchiara
  • Dr. Luis Rubio
  • Dr. Marwa Shalaby
  • Dr. Deepak Srivastava
  • Dr. Ronald L. Sass
  • Dr. Robert M. Stein
  • Dr. Constantino Urcuyo
  • Dr. Dagobert Brito
  • Dr. Daniel Cohen
  • Dr. David Cook
  • Dr. Robert Curl
  • Dr. André W. Droxler
  • Dr. Mahmoud El-Gamal
  • Dr. S. Malcolm Gillis
  • Dr. Peter R. Hartley
  • Dr. Rachel Kimbro
  • Dr. Moramay López-Alonso
  • Dr. Ussama Makdisi
  • Dr. Caroline A. Marisello
  • Dr. Peter Mieszkowski
  • Dr. Nicolas Shumway
  • Dr. Richard Smith
  • Dr. Ronald Soligo
  • Dr. Richard Stoll
  • Dr. Diana Strassmann
  • Dr. Ted Temzelides
  • Dr. Dan Wallach
  • Dr. Sarah Whiting
  • Ron Witte
  • Dr. George Zodrow

References

  1. ^ "James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy 2012 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  2. ^ http://bakerinstitute.org/center-for-the-middle-east/about-center-middle-east/
  3. ^ http://bakerinstitute.org/china-studies-program/about-china-studies/
  4. ^ http://bakerinstitute.org/drug-policy-program/about-drug-program/
  5. ^ http://bakerinstitute.org/health-policy-program/
  6. ^ http://bakerinstitute.org/international-economics-program/about-international-economics/
  7. ^ http://bakerinstitute.org/the-latin-america-initiative-program/about-latin-america-initiative/
  8. ^ http://bakerinstitute.org/religion-policy-program/about-religion-polcy/
  9. ^ http://bakerinstitute.org/space-policy-program/about-space-policy/
  10. ^ http://bakerinstitute.org/science-technology/about-the-science-technology-program/
  11. ^ http://bakerinstitute.org/tax-and-expenditure-policy/about-tax-and-expenditure-policy/

29°43′00″N 95°24′10″W / 29.716579°N 95.402693°W / 29.716579; -95.402693

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_A._Baker_III_Institute_for_Public_Policy&oldid=595487198"