Policy Change Studio

Training Policy Change-Makers to Solve Problems in the Real World

The MIP Capstone Experience

While problems can be neatly solved in the classroom through policy briefs or equations, the real world is much more complex. Uncertainty, bureaucracy, resource constraints, and politics are just some of the obstacles that await students upon graduation, yet traditional courses do not adequately prepare them for these challenges.

Policy Change Studio is designed to provide Master’s in International Policy (MIP) students with the know-how to bring about change in the real world. The two-quarter course, in which second-year students work with partner organizations to tackle global policy problems, is the capstone experience of the MIP program. Guided by an innovative problem-solving framework, student teams work with partner organizations to analyze policy problems, craft solutions, and develop implementation plans designed for success.

The MIP Problem-Solving Framework

A multi-disciplinary, iterative guide for solving public problems in the real world.

Teaching Team

Francis Fukuyama

Faculty Co-Director

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Erik Jensen

Faculty Co-Director

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Patrick Laboon

Capstone Manager

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MIP Problem-Solving Framework

Too often, problem-solving is approached without the right tools or mindsets for achieving success. Trendy solutions are pursued before the problem is understood, data analysis is undertaken without an appreciation of the context, and "optimal" solutions are put into place that have no chance of being implemented. Drawing from cross-disciplinary methods as well as the expertise and experience of Professors Francis Fukuyama and Jeremy Weinstein, the MIP Problem-Solving Framework aims to provide a roadmap for successfully tackling global public problems. The framework teaches students to put problems first, only working towards a solution after understanding the context and causes of the problem. Students then craft evidence-based solutions designed for impact, and navigate the many challenges of implementation that are too often overlooked. The framework provides the structure for Policy Change Studio, with each step entailing a set of tools and exercises to be applied towards students’ projects and beyond.

Holistic Teaching Network

Policy Change Studio students benefit from a holistic teaching network that provides multiple layers of support. The network consists of faculty chairs Professors Francis Fukuyama and Jeremy Weinstein, program manager Patrick Laboon, project partners from outside organizations, faculty mentors with expertise in the project topic, and teamwork coaches Dikla Carmel-Hurwitz and Leslie Chin.

Field Work

Field work is an indispensable part of the Policy Change Studio experience. Through field work, students are able to interact with stakeholders, collect primary data, test assumptions, and otherwise gain an understanding of realities on the ground. Each student team is supported by the MIP Program to travel to field locations during their spring break.

Click here for details on field work from our MIP Class of 2022.

Timeline

Policy Change Studio takes place during the winter and spring quarters of MIP students' second year in the program (January to June). Students travel to field locations during their spring break (typically late March).

Scoping for projects begins during the spring proceeding the start of the course cycle.

Highlighted Past Projects

Curbing the Illicit Use of Cryptocurrencies

Our students worked with the U.S. Government to develop strategies to combat misuse of cryptocurrencies.

Addressing the Venezuelan Migrant Crisis

Our students worked with the Organization of American States to design strategies to provide access to education, healthcare, and labor markets for Venezuelan migrants.

Botnet Threat Mitigation

Out students worked with Cyber Threat Alliance to create interventions to prevent the malicious use of botnets.

Bringing Clean, Reliable, and Affordable Energy to Businesses in the Yucatan Peninsula

Our students worked with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to help enable business owners to afford renewable energy.

Addressing Online Harassment of Female Human Rights Activists and Journalists in Uganda

Our students worked with Internews to generate solutions to targeted online harassment of public-facing women in Uganda.

Russian Encroachment in Northeastern Europe

Our students worked with the International Centre for Defence and Security to design strategies against Russian money laundering.

Countering Online Hate Speech

Our students worked with Facebook to develop and test strategies for countering online hate speech on the Facebook platform.

Engaging Nigerian Militias for Civilian Protection

Our students worked with the Center for Civilians in Conflict to develop recommendations for engaging the Nigerian militia CJTF for civilian protection.

Abuse of Migration Investment Programs

Our students worked with the U.S. Government to investigate illicit uses of citizenship- and residency-by-investment programs and develop policy recommendations.

Community Health Workers in Bangladesh

Our students worked with the World Bank to design strategies for improving the effectiveness of community health workers in Bangladesh.

Nuclear Stability Between the U.S. and China

Our students worked with the Nuclear Threat Initiative to design innovative strategies to preserve nuclear stability.

Colonade at the entrance to Encina Hall, Stanford University.

More Projects

Click here to see additional past projects

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Gallery

Arelena Shala, Bradley Jackson, Johannes Hui, David Sprague ('22) with FSI Lecturer and Fmr. Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Rose Gottemoeller at final presentation on project with International Centre for Defence and Security.

Daniel Gajardo ('22) presents the results of his team's project in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Chubing Li, Kyle Smith, and Benjamin Zehr ('23) on field work trip in Kenya investigating water resource management

Class assignment: Fishbone diagram causal analysis for Venezuelan refugee's lack of access to education, health, and labor markets.

Mackenzie Burnett ('19) workshops her problem statement.

Ash Lubecke ('18) presents the final results of his project to classmates and faculty.

Francesca Bentley, Angela Chen and Brian Slamkowski ('23) on field work trip at NATO HQ

Amanda Leavell, Madeleine Morlino, and Shirin Abrishami-Kashani ('22) interview Indian women on access to sexual health information in partnership with SheThePeople.tv

Class of 2023 students investigate "How Might We" questions in class.

Chaeri Park, Me Me Khant, and Mikk Raud ('22) in Washington D.C. while conducting field work on ransomware attacks in the healthcare industry.

Call for Project Partners

We invite interested organizations to contact us about turning a public problem they face into a Policy Change Studio project. From May to September, we are actively sourcing projects for the upcoming course cycle, which runs from January to June each year. We will select about 8 projects each course, with each project assigned a team of about 4 students. Off-cycle requests to meet and discuss potential future partnerships are always welcomed.

Projects will be selected based on fit with the course structure, the partner's commitment to the project, student interest, and faculty expertise in the topic. The partner’s ability to support student travel may also be considered in selecting projects. Partners can come from any sector as long as the project is focused on solving a public problem.

During the 6-month course period, partners regularly engage with student teams to give feedback, share expertise, provide data, and otherwise support the projects. Partners must be willing to work through the course curriculum and framework and open to allowing students challenge existing practices and assumptions.

For more information, please contact Patrick Laboon at plaboon@stanford.edu