SPIA in D.C.
Princeton University: AI Policy Precepts Center For Information Technology Policy Washington, D.C. – Spring 2024
About
In Spring 2023, the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) opened a new center in Washington's Dupont Circle neighborhood. This will be the first time in the University’s history that its policy and international affairs school has had a dedicated, physical presence in the nation’s capital, and the investment reflects the School’s strategic priorities.
- Elevate the policy relevant work of our faculty.
- Establish a greater SPIA identity in Washington.
- Connect our students, faculty, and research centers directly to public policy constituencies in the federal government, on Capitol Hill, and among think tank, nongovernmental, academic, and diplomatic communities>.
- Develop and lead initiatives on contemporary policy issues.
- Provide a convening space for Princeton and SPIA events, seminars, and private gatherings with policymakers and leaders from across these communities.
- Have a space for alumni networking and engagement opportunities and other professional and career-development activities.
Events
April 18: Princeton AI Dialogues: Expert Briefings”—U.S. Senate & House of Representatives
SPIA in DC partnered with CITP faculty to convene the first two in a series of “Princeton AI Dialogues: Expert Briefings” on Capitol Hill. One with the Senate AI caucus, and a second with the House AI Caucus. Together, the two sessions drew more than 50 participants from Republican and Democratic congressional offices and committees. Professors Arvind Narayanan and Peter Henderson, together with PhD candidate Sayash Kapoor spoke to a wide range of topical issues regarding AI development and governance—open vs closed models, safety and catastrophic risk management, testing/validation/red-teaming, cybersecurity, copyright, deepfakes, watermarking and provenance, potential impacts on labor, hiring, judicial processes, and children.
Princeton Sovereign Finance Lab Workshop
April 17 & 18, SPIA in DC welcomed Professor Layna Mosley and the Princeton Sovereign Finance Lab for a two-day workshop—“The Politics of Sovereign Finance”—on the sidelines of the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings. Some 90 scholars, policymakers, and private sector participants debated contemporary issues in the realm of sovereign finance, including domestic and international politics of access and default, global finance reform, international bond markets, debt restructuring, debt transparency and governance, and the ways in which China is influencing sovereign finance.
February 29: Globalization, the U.S. Economy, and Political Backlash
Princeton SPIA in DC and the Peterson Institute for International Economics co-hosted a public discussion on Globalization, the U.S. Economy, and Political Backlash. Following introductory remarks from Director Zach Vertin and Dean Amaney Jamal, the event and livestream featured Lazard CEO Peter Orszag, Princeton Professor Helen Milner, and Cullen Hendrix of PIIE. Watch the full event here.
February 23: Student Career Day Events and Alumni Reception
Princeton SPIA in DC, in collaboration with the career development team, hosted a D.C. Career Day for SPIA graduate students. The day included conversations with SPIA alumni serving as political appointees in the Biden Administration, site visits to international development organizations, including the World Bank and USAID and a networking reception on the SPIA in DC rooftop where 300 alumni and students celebrated the MPA program's 75th Anniversary.
February 16: Inside DC: Undergrad Policy Day in Washington
Princeton SPIA welcomed 40 undergraduate students for "Inside DC: Undergrad Policy Day in Washington", which included conversations with policymakers at the White House, National Security Council, World Bank, USAID, as well as with veteran journalists, NGO leaders, and former government officials.
Sincere thanks to the day’s many hosts and participants, including SPIA alumni Somya Bajaj *19, Samantha Libraty *23, Ellinore Ahlgren *21, Brian Kelly *12, Josh Black *00, Juan Jose Leguia Alegria *13, Anna Twum *18, Ryan Chia Kuo *18, Juan Sebastian Leiva Molano *23, Harrison Fuller *23, Alex Brockwehl *18, Megan McGuire *18, and Bunmi Otegbade *19, together with Princeton SPIA DC Director Zach Vertin and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Paul Lipton.
January 29: Diplomatic Corps Dinner Series: Asia-Pacific
Director Zach Vertin hosted Ambassadors and senior diplomats from the Asia-Pacific region at Princeton’s new center in Washington. The Honorable Dr. Kevin Rudd, Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, kicked off a discussion of political and economic trends in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as opportunities for the year ahead. This dinner is part of a series of Princeton SPIA engagements exploring collaboration with the diplomatic corps in Washington and reflects the School’s commitment to fostering international research, dialogue, and policy engagement.
January 18: Diplomatic Corps Dinner Series: Latin America
SPIA in DC Director Zach Vertin was grateful to host Ambassadors from Latin America to discuss opportunities for collaboration as well as political and security issues in the region. Princeton Professors Miguel Centeno and Deborah Yashar provided expert commentary, as did former U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis. This dinner is part of a series of Princeton SPIA engagements with the Diplomatic Corps in Washington, D.C., undertaken in furtherance of the School’s commitment to international research, dialogue, and policy engagement.
SPIA in D.C. Launches With a Demonstration of Its Vast Potential
News
Visit & Convene
The SPIA in D.C. site has up to five offices available for temporary hoteling use by SPIA faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Additionally, there are two conference rooms with A/V, a large open area that can accommodate up to 45 chairs with a podium and dedicated A/V, soft seating, and a pantry. A rooftop penthouse amenity space (400-person capacity) and larger conference room (100-person seated capacity) are also available for reservation.
The D.C. office provides a convening space for SPIA gatherings, alumni and professional networking, and other career-development activities.
If you are interested in using the D.C. office or hosting an event, please complete the following inquiry form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review the SPIA in D.C. office space use policy and complete the required inquiry form.
For space in the 4th floor suite, it is recommended you make a reservation 4-6 weeks in advance. The earliest you can reserve the rooftop space is six months in advance. Please note that the rooftop is not available on weekends.
Event spaces are available from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. The rooftop conference room can be reserved from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., and the rooftop lounge can be reserved from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Please keep in mind that a SPIA staff member must be present at all times during an event, and the venue manager may not always be available after hours.
Yes, there is an overtime charge for HVAC ($65 per hour) and engineers ($90 per hour). Additionally, there is a custodial fee ($50 per hour) after 6 p.m.
The office suite is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Please see the recommended catering list, which has the appropriate information and insurance on file.
We have two conference rooms with AV capabilities on the fourth floor. Third-party vendors may be required for rooftop AV needs.
The venue manager is available to help facilitate matters and accommodate guests. They will work closely with building management concerning events utilizing the rooftop space.
Please email D’Angelo Anderson, venue manager, at spiadc@princeton.edu with any questions.