Report Sections
What defines impact at Sanford?
It's the transformative change shaped by the actions and analysis of our researchers, students and alumni.
The last five years have underscored the critical role of policy in our daily lives, from the global challenge of climate change to the unprecedented upheaval of COVID-19, contentious elections, and world conflicts. Sanford's strategy became our guiding beacon, steering our efforts to generate knowledge and leadership for the next wave of policy challenges. While we anticipated a rapidly changing environment, the past few years surpassed all expectations.
In the face of these challenges, Sanford stood tall.
We are not just thinkers; we are doers.
As Duke unveiled the Climate Commitment, Sanford responded with groundbreaking research that bridged science and policy. Our students actively engaged in climate change, energy, and environmental justice initiatives, while our alumni assumed leadership roles to craft a better environment.
When the pandemic unfolded in 2020, Sanford's expertise in health and social policy took center stage. Our researchers explored innovative solutions for people and communities, and our students navigated their studies amidst a real-life policy challenge. Many of our alumni stood at the forefront of the COVID-19 policy response.
In the face of growing misinformation and threats to democracy, Sanford has been sounding the alarm through policy research, journalism and democracy education. Polis, the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media & Democracy, and the Hart Leadership Program are safeguarding the journalistic and democratic values vital for our future.
The international community at Sanford faced severe challenges during the pandemic, yet our programs and faculty rebounded vigorously. The Duke Center for International Development revitalized its research for global policy solutions, and our master's program in international development surged back to pre-pandemic levels. Alumni from the program are now making a positive impact in the U.S. and around the world
In times of world conflicts and attacks, Sanford consistently responds with the national security and foreign policy insights demanded by these challenging times. From the ongoing invasion of Ukraine to the Israel-Gaza conflict, Sanford provides critical historical and present-day analyses to guide our future.
Addressing the sobering social issues of our communities, country, and world—including inequality, poverty, gun violence, and education needs—Sanford is deeply engaged in impactful social policy work. Our faculty's research has been recognized, and our students and alumni are actively driving social policy change.
In a world where technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, Sanford tackles the struggles of policies around technology. The rise of AI and cybersecurity threats directly impacts our lives, and Sanford, true to its multidisciplinary approach, is at the forefront of shaping the future of technology policy. Through our Cyber Policy program and dedicated faculty, students stand as partners in the quest for technological solutions.
Sanford is at the epicenter of the most pressing issues, encapsulated in our key themes.
- Every major challenge influences multiple areas of policy, showcasing the intricate connections between policy and our lives.
- Recognizing this urgency, Terry Sanford laid the foundation for the Sanford School of Public Policy in 1971.
- Today, Sanford remains an incubator for experiential learning and a catalyst for interdisciplinary applied research.
- As we celebrated the school's 10-year anniversary in 2019 and 50 years of public policy research and teaching at Duke in 2021, our audacious ambitions persist.
Sanford is analysis plus action. Sanford is impact.
One Alumna's Thoughts
"Policy is the academic and professional manifestation of giving a damn.”
– Meril Pothen MPP’20 during the 2020 graduation via Zoom