About Us

The School of Social Science, Urban Affairs, and Public Policy is breaking new ground in cross-disciplinary social science research, policy-relevant and professional training, sustained community involvement through collaborations with local and regional institutions, and the provision of venues for public discourse and problem solving.

The School aims to be the premier university-based social science research and policy innovation laboratory for Greater Boston and a strong link between the University and the broader community it serves.

Fulfilling the Mission - Teaching

• Build and maintain nationally recognized graduate programs at both the masters and doctoral levels
• Develop new graduate and professional programs to address current and future policy and career demands
• Develop new models of social science education spanning across the disciplines and incorporating principles of practice-oriented education
• Connect undergraduate education to faculty research and graduate training through mentoring programs, joint research projects, and specialized community-based research projects
• Integrate experiential education into graduate training on a more consistent basis

Fulfilling the Mission - Research

• Create and sustain a vibrant community dedicated to multi-disciplinary inquiry, pedagogical innovation, informed policy discourse, and social betterment
• Foster broader and deeper integration of social science theory, empirical analysis, and basic research to address fundamental questions that transcend disciplinary boundaries
• Build and sustain the kinds of innovative research programs that will attract and retain outstanding faculty, attract significant external funding, and enhance the overall research capacity of the University

Fulfilling the Mission - Community Collaboration and Global Horizons

• Contribute significantly to critical public policy debate and decision-making in the City of Boston, the Greater Boston region, and the nation through widespread dissemination of research results, applied analysis of public problems, and training
• Build sustainable partnerships with local governments, community organizations, and nonprofit institutions through applied research, customized training programs, and capacity building
• Serve as the venue for community discussion, a forum for public debate, and the laboratory for policy innovation
• Enhance links to academic institutions throughout the world providing new opportunities for research and education