Centers & Institutes
Providing High-quality Research, Technical Assistance and Professional Services
The work of our research centers and institutes is central to our makeup, to great learning and to our global security and economic future.
Our scholars explore the complex issues which shape policy and impact communities worldwide and provide timely and evidence-based guidance to policymakers, practitioners and community leaders.
Our nationally and internationally known centers and institutes also provide students with opportunities for jobs, internships, and possible thesis or dissertation data.
Center for Civil Discourse
Specialties: Examining the challenges that democracy and human nature bring to bear on the search for reasoned political discourse and common ground in our public institutions.
Center for Community Democracy and Democratic Literacy
Specialties: Examining the work of community-based organizations to ascertain their success in expanding or capacity to expand democratic participation and to engage in community change efforts.
Center for Governance and Sustainability
Specialties: Linking analytical rigor and policy action in environmental, development and sustainability governance globally through state-of-the-art research, interactive dialogue, and comprehensive training for innovative leadership.
Center for Peace, Democracy and Development
Specialties: Promoting conflict resolution, democracy, economic development, education building, media development, and legal and judicial reform through partnerships and training programs across the globe.
Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities After Disasters
Specialties: Conducting innovative research on various disaster-related topics; offering professional training programs; and providing expert advice to communities devastated by disasters.
Specialties: Conducting poverty policy research and evaluation to reduce social and economic inequities in Massachusetts and the nation.
Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy
Specialties: Promoting women's political leadership through quality education and policy research.
Specialties: Advancing university-community partnerships in the professional world of journalism and politics.
Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate, and Security
Specialties: Advancing solutions to complex ocean, climate, and security challenges and preparing coastal communities for a safer, more productive, and healthy future.
Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management
Specialties: Providing professional services to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government.
Specialties: Conducting basic and applied social and economic research on income security, health (including long-term care), productive aging, and basic social and demographic research on aging.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Specialties: Enriching the intellectual, social, and cultural lives of adults aged 50 and over who share a love of lifelong learning.
Specialties: Conducting research on pension policy and offering assistance and referrals to individuals having trouble understanding or accessing their pension benefits.
