semesterly policy seminars

Each semester, the Biden Institute offers three one-credit seminars on various policy topics. These include lectures and visits from senior practitioners from various backgrounds and perspectives.

Each seminar meets four Wednesdays during the semester, 5:30–8:30 p.m.

 

Any questions about upcoming seminars? Have a suggestion for a topic you would like us to consider? 

Email questions and suggestions to bideninstitute@udel.edu.

spring 2025 seminars

Meeting dates: February 18, 25; March 4, 11

Description: Are you interested in working in the public service field? Federal, state and local governments, along with many nonprofit organizations, rely heavily on project management and project-based work models. Successful project management can lead to more successful outcomes, reduction in costs and time, and aid in overall strategic planning for organizations. This course will teach students the tools and skills necessary to work on projects in a variety of public service careers. This course will include lectures and visits from senior practitioners from various backgrounds and perspectives.

Meeting dates: March 18; April 1, 8, 15

Description: Earth’s geography, from its atmosphere to its core, is impacted by natural and human factors. This seminar discusses climate change from pollution to policy to understand where we are, how we got here and what's next. This course will include lectures and visits from senior practitioners from various backgrounds and perspectives. 

Meeting dates: April 22, 29; May 6, 13

Description: The criminal justice system is comprised of public and private stakeholders who influence the course of policy development for the incarceration of individuals who are suspected or convicted of illegal offenses. This seminar will explore the intersection of law and policy, and their impact on the civil rights of citizens. This course will include lectures and visits from senior practitioners from various backgrounds and perspectives. 

winter 2025 seminar

Virtual meeting dates: January 9, 16, 23

Final, in-person meeting date: January 30

Description: SPPA400/600 gives students pursuing a degree in public policy and administration or who are interested in nonprofit, government, and/or public service the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare for their future career advancement. This includes professional writing, finding and applying to jobs, interview and networking skills and a look into potential career paths. Students will also learn from and network with individuals with similar backgrounds in various professions.

Fall 2024 Seminars

Meeting dates: September 4, 11, 18, 25 (concluded)

Description: Learn from policy leaders in technology policy, including artificial intelligence, data security, and broadband access, on what is happening at the federal, state and local levels. This course will include lectures and visits from senior practitioners from various backgrounds and perspectives.

Meeting dates: October 2, 9, 16, 23 (concluded)

Description: Have you ever wondered what happens when a government faces a crisis like COVID-19, a hurricane or even a terrorist attack? This course will teach key skills to communicate, mitigate, and approach a crisis, and will include lectures and visits from senior practitioners from various backgrounds and perspectives.

Meeting dates: October 30 and November 6, 13, 20

Description: The United States is currently facing a workforce shortage in the healthcare sector and a subsequent employment pipeline problem, from physicians to nurses to health aides. This course will include lectures and visits from senior practitioners from various backgrounds and perspectives to address how we can solve this growing problem.

Previous Biden Institute Seminars

Title: Political Fundraising

Faculty: Christy Gleason

 

Title: Environmental Policy: Sustainability

Faculty: David Carter

 

Title: Middle Class Economics

Faculty: Troy D. Mix

Fall 2023

Title: Diplomats and Diplomacy

Faculty: Gary Locke

 

Title: Education Policy 

Faculty: Susan Buntin

 

Title: Getting to Know Washington, DC

Faculty: Cathy McLaughlin

 

Spring 2023

Title: Political Speechwriting

Faculty: Jeff Nussbaum

 

Title: Environmental Justice

Faculty: Michele Roberts

 

Title: Social Justice Policy

Faculty: Anumira Bhargava

Fall 2022

Title: Lobbying & Influence in Public Policy 

Faculty: Rhett Ruggerio

 

Title: Middle Class Economics 

Faculty: Steph Sterling 

 

Title: LGBTQ+ Policy and Public Discourse 

Faculty: Sarah McBride

 

Spring 2022

Title: Gun Policy

Faculty: Dave Bentz

 

Title: Civil Discourse

Faculty: Tim Shaffer

 

Title: Protest to Policy

Faculty: Shyana Strom

 

Title: Immigration Policy

Faculty: Charles Kamasaki

Fall 2021

Title: Civil Discourse

Faculty: Phil Barnes

Guest Speaker: Tim Schaffer

 

Title: Infrastructure Policy

Faculty: Leslie Proll

 

Title: Climate Policy

Faculty: Collin O’Mara

 

Spring 2021

Title: Intro to Washington, DC

Faculty: Cathy McLaughlin

 

Title: Vaccine Policy

Faculty: Kim Isett

 

Title: Protest to Policy

Faculty: Eugene Young

Fall 2020

Title: National Security Policy

Faculty: Samantha Vinograd

 

Title: Environmental Policy

Faculty: Dr. Cecilia Martinez

 

Spring 2020

Title: Topics in Public Policy: Criminal Justice Policy

Faculty: Maryanne Donoghy 

 

Title: Topics in Public Policy: Environmental Policy 

Faculty: W. Michael McCabe, Pablo McConnie-Saad

 

Title: Topics in Public Policy: Education Policy

Faculty: Amanda Fuchs Miller

Fall 2019

Title: Topics in Public Policy: Modern Presidential Campaigns 

Faculty: Mike Donilon

 

Title: Topics in Public Policy: Gun Policy 

Faculty: David Bentz

 

Title: Topics in Public Policy: Opioid Policy

Faculty: Kayla Tormohlen & Jia Ahmed

 

Spring 2019

Title: Topics in Public Policy: U.S. LGBTQ Policy

Faculty: Stefanie Feldman, Sarah McBride

Fall 2018

Title: U.S. Federal Policymaking Toolkit

Faculty: Stefanie Feldman

 

Title: Seminar on Non-Profit Management

Faculty: Louisa Terrell, Deborah Jospin

 

Title: Seminar on U.S. Immigration Policy

Faculty: Ali Noorani, Jacinta Ma

 

Spring 2018

Title: Jobs, Economy and the Impact on the Middle Class

Faculty: Mike Donilon and Sarah Bianchi

 

Title: Developing and Implementing Health Care

Faculty: Bruce Reed, Sarah Bianchi