About the Program
About the Program
The James A. Baker III Policy Leadership Program offers a premier opportunity for rising and established professionals to hone their abilities in crafting and advancing impactful policy solutions. Program participants leverage the Baker Institute's renowned nonpartisan expertise to address today's most pressing challenges.
Participants receive:
- Instruction in policy research, analysis, and dissemination.
- A tailored project deliverable and dissemination plan with personalized consultation with world-renowned policy experts.
- A network of like-minded, influential professionals.
- Opportunities for cross-collaboration on co-sponsored grants and research projects.
The Institute offers seminars each Spring and Fall.
Learn More & Register
Registration for our Spring 2025 Brain Economy Seminar and Fall 2025 Policy Innovation Seminar is now open.
Questions about enrollment? Email Hitkarsh Kumar, program manager.
Spring 2025: Brain Economy Seminar
Spring 2025: Brain Economy
The Brain Economy Seminar is appropriate for mid- to senior-level professionals from academia, the private sector, the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, and the public sector who aspire to lead the integration of brain health and skills into economic strategy. This immersive program provides a deep dive into the emerging brain economy, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to drive transformative change within their organizations and regions.
Through lectures, workshops, and collaborative group activities, participants will gain practical expertise in shaping brain-based economic initiatives. The program culminates in the creation of a comprehensive strategy portfolio, featuring actionable deliverables such as stakeholder analyses, policy frameworks, and investment plans—all tailored to their unique contexts and goals.
Key Info
Date:
April 7 – April 10, 2025
Location:
Rice Global Paris, 5 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris, France
Tuition: $5,000
The Brain Economy Seminar includes:
Introduction to the Brain Economy: Gain a foundational understanding of the brain economy, exploring its historical context, rationale, and emerging initiatives.
Case Studies in Brain Economy Leadership: Draw from real-world examples of organizations and regions successfully embracing brain economy principles to drive change. Opportunities, challenges, and key outcomes will be highlighted.
Brain Economy and the Future of Work: Discover how the brain economy is transforming the workforce, focusing on recruitment, retention, upskilling and reskilling, job creation, and strategies for building a healthy and resilient workplace.
Regional Readiness Planning: Develop strategies to assess and enhance your region or organization’s capacity to embrace the brain economy. Create practical readiness plans that address unique strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for transformation.
Economic Impact Assessments: Learn to evaluate the tangible benefits of brain economy initiatives — from productivity gains to societal well-being. Craft assessments tailored to your region or organization’s specific economic context.
Systemic Investing: Explore investment approaches that prioritize brain capital development. Learn strategies for sustainable and systemic funding to foster innovation and social impact.
Sectoral Policy Approaches: Examine how various sectors — such as education, health care, and technology — can adopt policies to drive brain economy growth. Analyze sector-specific examples and create a targeted policy brief.
Policy Tips and Tricks: Master practical techniques for effective policymaking in the brain economy. Learn how to navigate complex systems and design actionable, impactful frameworks.
Ethics and Responsible Innovation: Address critical ethical considerations in the brain economy, such as data privacy, equitable access to technologies, and balancing innovation with social responsibility. Develop ethical guidelines tailored to your sector.
Developing an Action Plan: Synthesize all course components into a comprehensive action plan for your region or organization. Create a detailed road map with clear goals, stakeholder strategies, and implementation steps for advancing the brain economy.
Harris Eyre, Ph.D.
Lead and Senior Fellow, Neuro-Policy Program, Baker Institute
Behnaam Aazhang, Ph.D.
Director, Neuroengineering Initiative, Rice University
Rym Ayadi
Founder and President, Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association
Nathan Cook
Senior Director, Government Relations, Rice University
Fred Destrebecq
Executive Director, European Brain Council
Shiva Dustdar
Dean, European Investment Bank Institute
Kana Enomoto
Director of Brain Health, McKinsey Health Institute
Quazi Haque
Chief Medical Officer, Co-Founder, and Professor in Psychiatry, Elysium Healthcare, Ramsay HCG
William Hynes, Ph.D.
Senior Climate Change Economist, World Bank; Honorary Professor, University College London; Fellow,Santa Fe Institute
Victoria Jupp
Director, James A. Baker III Policy Leadership Program, Baker Institute
Kelly O’Brien
Director, Business Collaborative for Brain Health
Paweł Świeboda
Founder, NeuroCentury
Adrian Trömel
Assistant Vice President, Rice Office of Innovation
Click here to register.
How long is the program?
Participants meet from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm over four days. Catered breakfast and lunch are provided.
What project will I work on throughout the program?
Participants will develop a comprehensive action plan tailored to their region or organization, which includes crafting a landscape report, systemic investing strategy, sector-specific policy brief, and set of ethical guidelines.
What mentorship and professional development opportunities will I receive?
Brain economy experts will provide direct guidance and feedback on participants’ projects. Panel discussions and networking opportunities with global thought leaders will also support professional development and mentorship.
Who should register?
The Brain Economy Seminar welcomes mid- to senior-level executives, investors, health professionals, and thought-leaders from academic, government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors interested in learning how to lead brain economy transformations in their organizations or regions.
How many participants will be in the cohort?
The Brain Economy Seminar will comprise no more than 25 participants.
How many hours should I commit to the program?
The program requires 32 completed contact hours: eight hours of pre-learning (two hours daily) and 24 workshop hours (six hours daily).
What are the program benefits?
Hosted at the Rice Global Paris Center in Paris, France, one of the world’s most dynamic cultural and intellectual hubs, the Brain Economy Seminar combines the Baker Institute’s expertise with Europe’s leadership in brain economy innovation to offer participants a deeply reflective and transformative learning experience.
Participants who complete the program will earn:
- A certificate of completion demonstrating satisfactory fulfillment of program requirements and skills.*
- A cohesive strategy portfolio that includes a landscape report, systemic investing strategy, sector-specific policy brief, and set of ethical guidelines developed under direct supervision from brain economy experts.
- Networking, research, and co-collaboration opportunities with Baker Institute experts and affiliated partners.
*Participation in the Brain Economy Seminar does not satisfy credits needed for a Rice University academic degree program.
Fall 2025: Policy Innovation Seminar
Fall 2025: Policy Innovation
Through interactive discussions, case studies, and hands-on exercises, participants will gain a solid foundation in policy analysis, evaluation, and communications. They will be equipped to identify, assess, and communicate policy solutions that address complex societal challenges, making them well-prepared for careers in public policy, government, advocacy, or research.
The Policy Innovation Seminar is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals from all backgrounds interested in translating data and innovation into communicable, impactful policy prescriptions.
Key Info
Date:
Aug. 26 – Nov. 11, 2025
Tuesdays, noon – 2:00 pm
Location:
Rice University’s Baker Institute (hybrid option available)
Tuition:
Early registration (before May 1): $5,000
Regular registration: $7,500
The Policy Innovation Seminar includes:
Introduction to Public Policy: Delve into the foundations of public policy and understand its
evolution, significance, and role in society. Analyze the interplay between politics, economics,
and social factors in shaping public policies.
Identifying Public Policy Problems and Selecting Relevant Data: Learn how to identify pressing societal issues and select appropriate data sources and methodologies for rigorous analysis. Emphasize the importance of evidence-based policymaking.
Recognizing Key Stakeholders: Investigate the intricate web of stakeholders in the policy arena, from government agencies and advocacy groups to the private sector and the general public. Understand their diverse interests and influence on policy outcomes.
Assessing the Policy Landscape: Develop the skills to assess the current policy landscape, including existing regulations, policies, and their effectiveness. Examine the role of historical context in shaping contemporary policy challenges.
Federalism, the States, and Policy: Explore the complex relationship between federal, state, and local governments, focusing on how they shape and implement policy. Gain insights into economic indicators, state and local fiscal policy and budgets, and their implications for policy formulation and evaluation.
Policy Mapping and Solutions: Dive deep into policy evaluation techniques, including policy mapping, impact assessment, and cost-benefit analysis. Explore methods to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of policies.
Policy Implementation and Challenges: Consider how financial and administrative resources along with ethical implications influence policy options. Learn to identify crucial processes for ensuring policy success and sustainability while formulating evidence-based recommendations by interpreting multiple variables.
Communicating the Value of Your Policy: Master the art of effective policy communications. Develop persuasive strategies to convey policy recommendations to diverse audiences, including policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.
Policy Problems and Alternatives: Learn how to conduct thorough, data-driven research on existing policies and investigate viable policy alternatives.
Policy Recommendations and Executive Summary: Work one-on-one with Baker Institute experts to write a policy brief based on your particular area of research and expertise.
Media Training: Get acquainted with best practices for delivering clear and impactful messages to diverse audiences such as the media and various policy stakeholders.
Mock Interview: Apply your newly acquired skills in a simulated interview with Baker Institute
communications experts.
Each session in the seminar is led by a member of the Baker Institute team. This diverse group of experts includes an esteemed diplomat, seasoned public finance professionals, experienced medical doctors, an accomplished nonprofit executive, and a respected attorney. Together, they provide a wealth of knowledge and expertise for participants to draw from.
Nathan Cook
Senior Director of Government Relations, Rice University Office of Public Affairs
John W. Diamond, Ph.D.
Edward A. and Hermena Hancock Kelly Senior Fellow in Public Finance
Director, Baker Institute Center for Public Finance
Avery Franklin
Media Relations Specialist, Rice University Office of Public Affairs
Victoria Jupp
Director, James A. Baker III Policy Leadership Program, Baker Institute
Christopher F. Kulesza, Ph.D.
Scholar in Child Health Policy
Elena M. Marks, J.D., M.P.H.
Senior Fellow in Health Policy
Sandra McKay, M.D.
Huffington Fellow in Child Health Policy
Shannon Moriarty
Director of Communications, Baker Institute
Katharine Neill Harris, Ph.D.
Alfred C. Glassell, III, Fellow in Drug Policy
The Honorable David M. Satterfield
Director, Baker Institute for Public Policy
Janice and Robert McNair Chair in Public Policy
Click here to register. A professional CV/resume and one-page statement of purpose identifying a policy problem you wish to explore throughout the program are required.
How long is the program?
Participants meet once a week from Aug. 26 to Nov. 11, 2025. Sessions are held Tuesdays from noon to 2:00 pm. Catered lunch is provided.
What project will I work on throughout the program?
Participants will work on the policy questions identified in their one-page statement of purpose and gain skills to produce a high-quality,
publishable policy brief throughout the seminar.
What mentorship and professional development opportunities will I receive?
A policy advisor and communications professionals will provide substantive feedback on your project.
Who should apply?
The Policy Innovation Seminar is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals from all backgrounds interested in translating data and innovation into communicable, impactful policy prescriptions.
How many participants will be in the cohort?
The Policy Innovation Seminar will comprise no more than 20 participants.
How many hours should I commit to the program?
The program requires 48 completed contact hours:
- 20 spent in classroom instruction (in-person).
- 24 hours spent in virtual instruction (3 hours weekly).
- 4 hours spent in policy brief development sessions.
What are the program benefits?
Participants who complete the program will earn:
- A certificate of completion demonstrating satisfactory fulfillment of program requirements and skills.*
- A high-quality, nonpartisan policy brief developed with tools, skills, and mentorship acquired from
experts at the world’s leading university-affiliated nonpartisan policy research organization. - Networking, research, and co-collaboration opportunities with Baker Institute experts and affiliated partners.
*Participation in the Policy Innovation Seminar does not satisfy credits needed for a Rice University academic degree program.
Partner With Us
Interested in corporate training or partnership opportunities? Email Victoria Jupp, program director.