The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs

Call Directions Website

The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs Be Part of the Solution. Sound policy. Thoughtful leadership. Informed citizens. The Howard H. Baker Jr. In the spirit of Sen.

Center for Public Policy is a nonpartisan public policy center located on the campus of the University of Tennessee. The Center's mission is to advance the legacy of the late Sen. Howard Baker by providing critical insights on domestic and international challenges through interdisciplinary research, experiential education, and policy engagement. Senator Baker, sometimes referred to as β€œThe Great Conciliator,” had the ability to cross party lines, listen, and legislate solutions to difficult issues. His efforts resulted in landmark legislation, such as the Panama Canal Treaty, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and much more. Baker’s work, the Center offers a number of public lectures and programs within its three focus areas: Energy & Environment, Global Security & Trade, and Leadership & Governance. The Center also maintains an active and engaged student program with options to join the Baker Center Living Learning Community, Baker Ambassadors and Baker Scholars.

What happens when a nuclear power plant becomes part of a war zone?At our next Center for National Security and Foreign ...
10/27/2026

What happens when a nuclear power plant becomes part of a war zone?

At our next Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs Forum, Mariana Budjeryn of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)'s Center for Nuclear Security Policy examines the seizure and occupation of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the people caught at the center of it.

Join us Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Baker School.

Kudos to the top-performing teams in our inaugural Policy Challenge, presented by the Baker School and CETEP.Ten student...
10/23/2026

Kudos to the top-performing teams in our inaugural Policy Challenge, presented by the Baker School and CETEP.

Ten student teams put their policy skills to the test, developing a policy brief and defending their recommendations before a panel of experts.

πŸ† Best Presentation: Catherine Carney, Jones Moynihan, Carly Mitchell and Ava Savasta
πŸ† Best Brief: Addison Wyrick, Tiago Phielipp and Kendall Sutton
πŸ† Best Overall, Undergraduate: Alvin Bishop, Alex Durkee, Ben Garrison and Eli Hicks
πŸ† Best Overall, Graduate: Sean Weiland, Olivia Peck and Elan Fleetwood

Congratulations to our winners and all 10 teams who took on the challenge.

The Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy welcomes Dr. Blake Hudson, dean and professor of law at ...
10/21/2026

The Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy welcomes Dr. Blake Hudson, dean and professor of law at Samford University’s , for a conversation on rethinking national forest management and the future of our public lands.

πŸ“… Thursday, October 22
πŸ• 1–2:30 p.m.
πŸ“ Toyota Auditorium, Baker School

Volunteers light the way. 🍊 University of Tennessee, Knoxville alumnus James Lytle returned to Rocky Top to share insigh...
10/19/2026

Volunteers light the way. 🍊

University of Tennessee, Knoxville alumnus James Lytle returned to Rocky Top to share insights from his career across political campaigns, government and advocacy with a small group of public affairs majors.

Now Grassroots Advocacy Manager at NAIFA-National, James gave students a firsthand look at campaign work and the paths a career in politics can take.

That's part of the Baker advantage: connecting students with Volunteers who come back, share what they've learned and help the next generation find their path.

10/16/2026

Meet Ava Gallo! 🍊

A junior majoring in public affairs, Ava is exploring her interest in national security while also getting a behind-the-scenes look at the Baker School as a student assistant.

We took a walk with Ava to hear how she's getting involved, her advice for making the most of the Baker School experience and where she hopes her interests will take her after graduation.

How is artificial intelligence transforming state and local government?Join the Baker School in Nashville on October 29 ...
10/15/2026

How is artificial intelligence transforming state and local government?

Join the Baker School in Nashville on October 29 for Baker on the Road | Artificial Intelligence in State and Local Government. Baker School’s Director of Graduate Studies and Professor Tara Bryan will lead a panel with Ali Sekmen of Pangea and Megan Kennedy of Ernst & Young to explore AI’s opportunities, emerging risks and implications for Tennessee.

πŸ“… October 29 - 5:30–6:30 p.m. CT
πŸ“ Nashville Yards -901 Church St. Nashville, TN 37203

Join us for the conversation and stay for a reception following the event.
πŸ”— Register here: https://cvent.me/9g98dV

How is a new era of warfare reshaping U.S. national security?Former Deputy Secretary General of NATO Rose Gottemoeller j...
10/12/2026

How is a new era of warfare reshaping U.S. national security?

Former Deputy Secretary General of NATO Rose Gottemoeller joins the Baker School for a conversation on security, resilience and defense in a changing world.

πŸ“… Monday, October 19
πŸ•œ 5:30–6:30 p.m.
πŸ“ Toyota Auditorium

Register now: https://cvent.me/BVN0wb

Join us for an evening of thoughtful debate and civil discourse as Coleman Hughes and Adam Harris take on a timely quest...
10/08/2026

Join us for an evening of thoughtful debate and civil discourse as Coleman Hughes and Adam Harris take on a timely question from opposing perspectives, with Amber Duke moderating.

Wednesday, October 14 | 5:30 PM
Toyota Auditorium

Register today: https://cvent.me/yBwZem

Has America lived up to the promises of its founding?

Join the IAC and The Steamboat Institute for a timely debate featuring Coleman Hughes arguing the affirmative and Adam Harris arguing the negative, moderated by Amber Duke.

πŸ“… Wednesday, October 14
⏰ 5:30 PM ET
πŸ“ Toyota Auditorium

Hear both sides. Engage with the question. Be part of the conversation.
Register today: https://cvent.me/yBwZem

The Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy welcomes Dr. Nathaniel Horadam, Senior Research Fellow a...
10/08/2026

The Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy welcomes Dr. Nathaniel Horadam, Senior Research Fellow at Georgia Tech, for a conversation on the challenges and realities shaping America’s quest for minerals security.

πŸ“… Thursday, October 15
πŸ• 1–2:30 p.m.
πŸ“ Toyota Auditorium

3, 2, 1... D.C. πŸ›οΈ Washington Fellows: Inside D.C. starts well before students arrive in the nation's capital.3 steps: A...
10/02/2026

3, 2, 1... D.C. πŸ›οΈ

Washington Fellows: Inside D.C. starts well before students arrive in the nation's capital.

3 steps: Apply by Oct. 14. Complete HBS 102 this spring. Spend 10 days in Washington, D.C., in May.

2 experiences: Prepare on campus through coursework, guest speakers and career exploration, then put that learning into practice in Washington.

1 opportunity: Meet policy professionals, explore careers and issues, and see where a future in public problem solving could take you.

Ready to get started? Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/4rJ0ign

Address

1640 Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, TN
37996

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share