Kate Reagan

In the legacy of Senator Howard H. Baker Jr.

Senator Howard H. Baker Jr.’s career modeled a vision of leadership and democracy based on being an eloquent listener, thoughtful learner, and committed public servant. These elements build the foundation of the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs. Next week will mark what would have been Baker’s 99th birthday, and…
NSFA’s U.S.-Japan Diplomacy Academy Fulfills State Department’s Grant Request

Imagine it is 2026. China and Russia have engaged Japan and the United States in combat over Taiwan and the situation is on the verge of escalating to an all-out war. You have been tasked with finding diplomatic and military solutions to prevent war while limiting the conflict’s effect on your country’s economy and national…
The Conversation: Political bickering and policy uncertainty take a toll on business investment, research shows

Partisan squabbling isn’t just annoying – it’s also bad for business. That’s what my colleagues and I found in a recent study on how uncertainty in environmental policy affects business investment. First, we analyzed more than 300 million newspaper articles, looking for keywords related to environmental policy uncertainty. We found that this uncertainty spikes around election…
How the 2024 Election Stacks Up Against the Past

In his first year at the University of Tennessee, Andy Busch, professor, and associate director of the Institute of American Civics at the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School), has seen how important the 2024 election is for University of Tennessee, Knoxville students. Through debate watch parties, presentations,…
Can the Supreme Court be Impartial? – with Steve Vladeck and John McGinnis

Public trust in the Supreme Court is at a near-record low. While trust has declined across all party groups since 2020, perception of the Supreme Court is deeply partisan, making the Court itself yet another issue where American views are highly polarized. In this episode, our hosts, former Tennessee governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam,…
Prominent Tennesseans Endow Baker School Scholarships at UT

Six esteemed Tennesseans have pledged $500,000 each to endow four-year undergraduate scholarships at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs. Demonstrating a commitment to investing in UT students and strengthening civic health, the Baker Scholars program aims to attract and educate a new generation of leaders who…
Can the Constitution Help Fight Polarization? – with Yuval Levin

The Constitution is at the center of some of our most divisive and polarizing political disagreements from guns to abortion. But what if the Constitution is actually the solution to our challenges and not the source of our problem? In this episode, our hosts, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam, speak with Yuval…
Baker School’s Curriculum Prepares the Next Generation of Public Leaders

The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) grew out of a vision to establish a public policy school at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with national reputation for graduating skilled public problem solvers who are prepared to take leadership roles as public administrators, public servants, policy analysts, or…
Baker School to Serve as Early Voting Location October 28 – 31

If you are registered to vote in Knox County, you can vote early at the Baker School from Monday, October 28 to Thursday, October 31. See below for each day’s times. 10|28 9am-6pm 10|29 9am-6pm 10|30 8am-8pm 10|31 9am-6pm Please note that on election day, November 5, you must vote in person at your assigned…
Transportation Policy Drives Baker School’s Research in Energy and Environment

For over a decade, the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy conducted energy and environmental policy research, informing policy on issues that were passions for Senator Baker. When the Center became the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) in 2023, the former Energy and Environment Program…