The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy

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The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy is non-partisan research institute on public policy located at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, New Jersey, USA. The Institute is named after New Jersey Assemblyman John S. Watson, the first African American to serve as the state's Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

[edit] Purpose

The Institute aims to serve as a resource for decision-makers across New Jersey. The Watson Institute tries to offer a new approach, applying the resources of higher education to public policy decisions in a practical and hands-on manner, in response to the expressed needs of decision-makers.

Thomas Edison State College established the Institute to respond to the practical needs of decision-makers across New Jersey, as well as to honor the outstanding record of public service of the late Assemblyman John S. Watson.

The John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy is designed to respond to the needs of decision-makers by providing practical research, technical assistance, and other expertise. The Watson Institute supports the capacity of decision-makers to address the most critical issues facing New Jersey. The Watson Institute conducts its affairs in a non-partisan manner fully consistent with the College's traditions of excellence.

The Watson Instiute places emphasis on developing long-term partnerships rather than short-term consulting relationships. The Institute's goal is to support and strengthen partners' ability to address critical issues as they arise, rather than focusing narrowly on a particular crisis or "hot issue" and departing.

Practical orientation unlike think tanks — Instead of abstract, theoretical issues and policy post-mortems, The Watson Institute's focus is on forward-looking solutions to practical issues. The Watson Institute differs from traditional higher education "think tanks" both in what it works on and how it works:

What — The Watson Institute's work is driven solely by the needs of the decision-makers themselves, not by the internal academic or political agenda of the College.

How — The Watson Institute's work is applied and practical, not abstract and theoretical. In particular, The Watson Institute avoids the public policy "post-mortems" which characterize much academic public policy work. Rather than examining what did happen, The Watson Institute focuses on what can happen.

[edit] Clients, programs and accomplishments

Work of the Institute has made progress in public policy support and assistance. Its momentum comes through its consistent model of long-term partnerships and client-driven work:

The Healthcare Information Networks and Technologies (HINT) project, a partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health, legislative leaders, and others to improve efficiency and reduce costs for healthcare through appropriate uses of technology.

Projects to strengthen public schools in New Jersey's communities, including an external audit of the Atlantic City Public Schools, a focus on strengthening parental involvement, and work in support of charter schools and other policy innovations.

Several urban initiatives, including a partnership with the Urban Mayors Association to provide services to targeted cities, the Center for the Urban Environment, a partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Trenton Enterprise Coalition-a community collaborative that is part of the New Jersey Governor's Urban Initiative.

The Center for Leadership Development, a new program which will work to support and strengthen leadership skills among college students through mentoring, development of problem solving skills and immersion in the critical issues facing New Jersey leaders.

In responding to the needs of its partners, The Watson Institute accesses the best available resources and expertise from across the state and throughout the nation, and puts those resources to work in resolving issues. Being part of a college dedicated to distance learning, connecting adult students with educational resources from across the country, The Watson Institute is uniquely qualified to play a similar role in the public policy arena. The Watson Institute provides practical and useful information to its partners from wherever it exists. The Watson Institute makes available the academic resources, databases, and analytic tools necessary to support appropriate action and respond to specific needs. This might include research into current "best practices" in a given public policy area, a study by an available expert into the effectiveness of current systems, or the collection and analysis of key data.

The Watson Institute also provides resources other than information to its partners. This might include strategic planning and organizational development assistance, helping to secure financial or volunteer labor resources, publishing and disseminating materials, and other practical assistance to facilitate effective policy making and action.

The Watson Institute also enhances its partners' effectiveness by creating new linkages and opportunities for collaboration. The Watson Institute provides opportunities for its partners to share ideas with others and to explore opportunities for joint action. This will include sponsoring informal roundtable discussions between partners, practitioners, other interested parties and academic experts in specific policy areas. Through these efforts, The Watson Institute assists its partners to re-define and re-examine their approaches to public policy questions to increase their effectiveness in dealing with them.

Initial support for The Watson Institute came from the College's operating funds, with further funds from major foundations and corporations.