Sanford School of Public Policy

Sanford School of Public Policy At the Duke Sanford School of Public Policy, we prepare bold leaders and innovative thinkers to take on the world’s most pressing challenges.

Improving lives and communities by researching the most pressing public policy issues and preparing students for leadership, civic engagement and public service. Among the nation’s leading public policy schools, we offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral-level degrees in public policy, international development policy, public affairs, and national security policy.

The most effective leaders don't guess at human behavior. They understand it. Whether you're shaping policy, leading tea...
05/26/2026

The most effective leaders don't guess at human behavior. They understand it. Whether you're shaping policy, leading teams, or building products, that distinction is your competitive edge.

Duke Sanford Executive Education's Behavioral Economics & Behavioral Science program, led by Dr. Joseph Sherlock, is built for professionals like you:
→ Learn why people behave the way they do
→ Apply behavioral tools to real challenges in your organization
→ Gain frameworks that work across sectors

Learn more: https://sanford.duke.edu/academics/executive-education/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=exec_fy26&utm_content=bes

05/26/2026

Why study public policy now? Duke Sanford grads explain.

There are many changes happening in the world when it comes to public policy. To many, the policy world might seem intriguing and important, but uncertain. We asked new graduates of the Master of Public Policy, Master of National Security Policy, and Master of International Development Policy programs why they chose to study public policy in this moment.

Featuring: Calvin Rausch MPP’26, Anson Chen MPP’26, JayJay Janabajal MNSP’26, Lola James MPP/MBA’26, Grace Ryan MPP’26, Tibeb Asfaw MIDP’26, Rush Patel MPP’26

Curious about what our faculty are researching and teaching? Join us for Alumni Office Hours with Duke Sanford's Mallory...
05/21/2026

Curious about what our faculty are researching and teaching? Join us for Alumni Office Hours with Duke Sanford's Mallory SoRelle.

The virtual event will provide a deeper dive into Professor SoRelle's Policy 360 podcast episode exploring tenants' rights and her book, "Uncivil Democracy: How Access to Justice Shapes Political Power."

This is your opportunity to continue the conversation, ask questions, and explore insights into her work. All Duke alumni are welcome to join the conversation.

🗓️ Thursday, May 28
🕛 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. EDT
💻 Virtual
Register today: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9MKBfftGtzAzkGi

As Head of Policy & Strategy at Apple in India, Smriti Sharma MIDP’14 has built a career around understanding the full s...
05/19/2026

As Head of Policy & Strategy at Apple in India, Smriti Sharma MIDP’14 has built a career around understanding the full story. Sharma works at the intersection of government, business, and global economic systems, helping shape conversations on issues ranging from manufacturing and supply chains to technology and regulation. But long before she stepped into policy leadership, Sharma spent nearly a decade as a journalist, reporting on many of the same forces she now helps navigate. That early experience continues to define her approach.

Sharma's story is featured in the latest Sanford Memo - your Sanford alumni newsletter. See this month's memo and learn about upcoming alumni events and opportunities: https://duke.is/Alumni-Memo

Congratulations to Professor Tim Nichols, recipient of Duke Sanford's Richard Stubbing Graduate Teaching and Mentoring A...
05/14/2026

Congratulations to Professor Tim Nichols, recipient of Duke Sanford's Richard Stubbing Graduate Teaching and Mentoring Award!

The award recognizes faculty members who share Professor Richard Stubbing’s deep commitment to the intellectual, professional, and personal development of graduate students.

Nichols has taught at Sanford for more than 15 years and helped shape the Master of National Security Policy Program, serving as faculty director through four successful academic years. He also leads the Counterterrorism Fellows Program, whose more than 100 alumni maintain a lasting connection to Duke.

Students described Nichols as a “maestro” in the classroom who brings rigorous material to life and supports students well beyond the final assignment.

As one nominator put it: “This award is long overdue.”

Congratulations, Professor Nichols!

What a weekend 🎓✨So proud of our newest Duke alumni 💙Forever Duke
05/13/2026

What a weekend 🎓✨
So proud of our newest Duke alumni 💙

Forever Duke

🎓MPP 🎓MIDP 🎓MNSP 🎓iMEP💙Celebrating perseverance, growth, resilience, and community.
05/10/2026

🎓MPP 🎓MIDP 🎓MNSP 🎓iMEP

💙Celebrating perseverance, growth, resilience, and community.

Doctoral hooding, years in the making.Congrats to all the newly hooded PhDs on achieving this milestone!
05/10/2026

Doctoral hooding, years in the making.

Congrats to all the newly hooded PhDs on achieving this milestone!

“Your Public Policy education is a skeleton key that can unlock all kinds of doors and endeavors, from academia to priva...
05/10/2026

“Your Public Policy education is a skeleton key that can unlock all kinds of doors and endeavors, from academia to private industry to the government service I’ve lauded.” -Chad Sarchio A.B.’92, P’25, Distinguished Speaker

During the Sanford ceremony, we celebrated 145 students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in public policy.

Congrats to the Class of 2026! We're so proud of you!

05/09/2026

Cheers to !

In a unified ceremony, we celebrated almost 400 graduates across our undergraduate, master's and PhD programs.

Congratulations and welcome to our network of more than 10,000 alumni spanning over 100 countries! We look forward to seeing the impact you'll make in your communities and beyond.

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Durham, NC
27708

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