For Students
We are committed to engaging students in the public policy process.
Inspired by Senator Baker’s values of civility and pragmatism, the Center prepares students for careers in public service through professional development programming, academic opportunities, and service experiences. Through research, teaching, mentorship, and engagement, the Center’s student programs seek to provide a forum for exploring democracy and promoting leadership in public service.
Helpful information
The Public Policy Analytics Minor
Students minoring in Public Policy Analytics must successfully complete the following 18 hours of requirements:
• ECON 311, Intermediate Microeconomics
• ECON 381, Econometrics
• BCPP 480, Policy Process and Program Evaluation
• BCPP 490, Capstone Research Policy Project*
*There are also prerequisites. Please click Learn More below!
Baker Ambassadors
The Baker Ambassadors Program provides students an opportunity to help create, plan, and manage special events in connection with the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy. Baker Ambassadors must commit to the principles of civility and integrity following the legacy of Senator Baker, and be dedicated to the spirit of public service. Students in this program are able to participate in exclusive mentorship and professionalization events with prominent individuals from the University of Tennessee, the State of Tennessee, as well as nationally and internationally prominent leaders.
Baker Scholars
The Baker Scholars program attracts the University of Tennessee’s most academically gifted, politically curious students by offering a unique and meaningful opportunity for engagement in the field of public policy. The central undertaking of each Baker Scholar is a project that involves either research on a specific policy issue or implementation of a creative initiative that contributes toward understanding of public policy issues, governance, civic engagement, or public service.
Washington Fellows
The Washington Fellows program is a two-week intensive course in Washington, DC. For the program, students will meet and learn from some of the nation’s top public servants, researchers, and journalists on pressing public policy issues.
Japan Ambassadors Program
The Japan Ambassadors program is a 12-day international immersive experience in Japan from May 28-June 8, 2023. Students will follow in the footsteps of former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Howard H. Baker to learn about Japanese culture, politics, history, and U.S.-Japan relations through meetings with Japanese policy makers, U.S. diplomatic staff, researchers at thinktanks, and Japanese university students. Visit museums, cultural sites, thinktanks, Japanese government agencies, and universities.
Baker Experience
The Baker Center is committed to engaging students in the public policy process, and the Center prepares students for careers in public service through various service experiences.
GRANTS & CONTRACTS LISTINGS
Energy & Environment
Calibrate and Assist with Implementation of a Used Vehicle Model for the MA3T Model
Sponsor: DOE – ORNL – UT-Battelle – Oak Ridge National Laboratory
PI: Benjamin Leard and David Greene
Award Period: 4/16/21 – 12/31/22
Enhance Energy and Environment Microeconomic Simulation Models to Better Inform Decision-Making
Sponsor: Resources for the Future, sub-award from Sloan Foundation
PI: Benjamin Leard
Award Period: 7/2/20 – 9/30/21
Novel Radioactive Materials
Sponsor: Department of Energy – Oak Ridge National Laboratory / UT-Battelle
PI: Deborah Penchoff
Award Period: 9/21/20 to 9/30/23
Hazen, ERC Planning Grant
Sponsor: US – NSF – National Science Foundation
PI: Terry Hazen
Award Period: 5/30/19 – OPEN
Global Security
Maritime Law Enforcement in the Indo-Pacific: Building Capacity to Confront Militia Groups and Maritime Crime
Sponsor: Department of Defense
PI: Brandon Prins
Award Period: 11/20/20 to 11/19/23
University Engagement for Nuclear Nonproliferation Courses
Sponsor: DOE – ORNL – UT Battelle – Oak Ridge National Laboratory
PI: Matthew Buehler
Award Period: 7/16/18 – OPEN
Leadership & Governance
Appalachian Leadership Institute
Sponsor: US – ARC – Appalachian Regional Commission
PI: Timothy Ezzell and Katie Cahill
Award Period: 10/16/18 – OPEN
For Faculty
Over the last 10 years, from 2011 to 2021, the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy has been awarded $6.76 million in grants from a variety of private sponsors, as well as from state and federal agencies.
These grants have supported important policy-relevant interdisciplinary research and initiatives on a wide range of topics. Contracts are also frequently awarded to the Center’s faculty and fellows to facilitate targeted research on areas of specific interest to sponsors.
Featured Research
Stock Turnover and the Decarbonization of U.S. Passenger Vehicles By Benjamin Leard, PhD and David Greene, PhD
To address the growing threat of climate change, the US has established a goal for reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the next decade, as well as, limiting the warming to 1.5 degrees C. Research done by Baker Fellows Benjamin Leard and David Greene looks into different scenarios of passenger vehicle stock turnover rates to reach the goals of decarbonization of GHG by 2035 and 2050. The results being that the current rate of stock turnover could lead to a moderate reduction by 2030 and substantial reductions are possible by 2050, even without the 100% EV market share by 2035, but that policies to accelerate stock turnover would be beneficial to reaching targets. Read more >
Meet The Subject Experts
Experts in energy and environment, global security, and leadership and governance call the Baker Center home.
The Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy is engaged in providing critical insights during global and domestic challenges. For media inquiries, please contact David Smith, Director of External Affairs, at (865) 292-7877 or david_smith@utk.edu.
Speaker Series
The Baker Center is actively involved in connecting with others in the field of public policy and has an active suite of speaker series. Catch our many broadcasts on YouTube to get a more in-depth look at important issues.
Speaker Series
The Baker Center is actively involved in connecting with others in the field of public policy and has an active suite of speaker series. Catch our many broadcasts on YouTube to play back our dialog.
