Purdue University

About PPRI

Welcome Message from the Director

Welcome to the Purdue Policy Research Institute! Since joining PPRI as Director in July 2019, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by a team of dedicated professionals and a supportive group of administrators, faculty, and staff within PPRI and Discovery Park and at Purdue. All of us here at PPRI are committed to bringing transdisciplinary research to bear on some of the world’s most pressing problems. We believe that sound policy development and assessment at the local, state, national, and global levels is informed by evidence and stakeholder engagement.

In my work with peacebuilding, capacity development, and leadership, I have enjoyed seeking out opportunities to work with and learn from professionals in government, military, business, non-governmental organizations, and higher education. PPRI shares these commitments, and our dedication to multi-stakeholder collaboration through a social justice lens is reflected in all our endeavors.

PPRI has developed a 5-year Strategic Vision that seeks to build on and contribute to Purdue’s research and land-grant mission. Our strategic areas of focus are:

  • Defense, Security, and Space;
  • Health, Well-Being, and the Future of Work; and
  • Sustainability, Development, and Peacebuilding.

While these are PPRI’s strategic areas of focus, our faculty affiliates contribute many more areas of research expertise. We are fortunate to work with a vast array of faculty experts from Purdue who share our commitment to data-driven policy making and assessment.

We are excited to forge new collaborations across the university and beyond. We look forward to highlighting the work of our collaborators, and helping to connect Purdue discovery to the policy development process locally, statewide, nationally, and globally. We are dedicated to activating existing networks in the public and private sectors and to cultivating new relationships. We are committed to bridging the policy and academic worlds in ways that can help better the human condition.

Thank you for your interest in PPRI, and once again, welcome!

Dr. Stacey L. Connaughton, Director of the Purdue Policy Research Institute

Purdue Policy Research Institute: Bringing viable alternatives to wicked problems

The Purdue Policy Research Institute (PPRI) is known for its strong track record of interdisciplinary research excellence, its ability to translate empirical findings to policy and general audiences, its impact on policy and practice, and its development of proven methodologies for effective multi-stakeholder engagement at the local, state, national, and global levels. Located in Purdue’s Discovery Park, PPRI has led multi-disciplinary seed grant programs at Purdue University dedicated to addressing global grand challenges, has been a part of several federally and privately funded multidisciplinary projects, and has co-designed and co-facilitated training programs worldwide to build the capacity needed to sustain initiatives beyond our involvement.

Mission and Vision Statements

Mission

The Purdue Policy Research Institute (PPRI) convenes researchers and policy influencers to catalyze research that influences data-driven policymaking and assessment.

Vision

PPRI will be the go-to resource for developing and assessing policies that solve pressing grand challenges.

Strategic Areas of Focus

  1. Defense, Security, and Space
  2. Health, Well Being, and the Future of Work
  3. Sustainability, Development, and Peacebuilding