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SPIA in N.J.

"SPIA in NJ" in bubble letters made up of pictures taken over the last year

At the Princeton University School of Public & International Affairs, we are committed to the place we call home. We recognize New Jersey as an ideal laboratory for connecting the theory and practice of public policy, consistent with multiracial democracy.

Our five core pillars are designed to advance this commitment through:

  1. Engagement, service, and outreach beyond the gates
  2. Convening power to support evidence-based policy locally, statewide, and nationally
  3. Rigorous research development and sharing to inform equitable and fair public policies
  4. Centering students to develop future leaders and practitioners in public policy

  5. Academic offerings that bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application

     

Follow SPIA in NJ on LinkedInSign up for the newsletterAnnual Report: 2023-24Annual Report: 2024-25
headshots of Professor Heather Howard and MPA1 Andrew Libraty

May 20, 2026: SPIA in NJ’s Government Transition Insights Series

By Heather Howard, Professor of the Practice and Andrew Libraty (MPA ‘27). This year, SPIA in NJ embarked on a project to unpack the question: what is a government transition? Students, faculty, and staff held roundtables and discussions to better understand this unique political process that is fundamental to American democracy.
Read their reflection
group of student volunteers with former NJ Governor Murphy

May 7, 2026: Student Volunteers Help the Rehabilitated to Earn a Second Chance

Last November, as part of his historic clemency initiative, then-New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy visited Princeton to announce his latest round of clemency grants. In the process, he thanked a team of Princeton student volunteers who had spent the spring of 2025 assisting in the preparation of 32 petitions for executive clemency.
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Projects & Programs

Staff & Faculty
Garden State Fellows & Dean Jamal
Garden State Fellowship

Upcoming Events

No events available.

Past Events

21
Feb
Robertson Hall
5:30 PM
New Jersey’s Place in Black America
22
Feb
Robertson Hall
4:00 PM
Princeton Affordable Housing Map
23
Feb
Julis Romo Rabinowitz Building
1:30 PM
Redefining Risk and Deploying Capital to Advance Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
18
Mar
Wallace Hall
4:30 PM
C-PREE Bradford Seminar: The Green Amendment Movement: Should We Have a Constitutional Right to a Clean Environment?
SPIA in NJ header
22
Mar
Julis Romo Rabinowitz Building
1:30 PM
Democracy in Action Series: Another World is Happening: From Extractive to Restorative Economics
22
Mar
Aaron Burr Hall
2:00 PM
Abolishing Immigration Detention
29
Mar
Julis Romo Rabinowitz Building
8:30 AM
Policy Hackathon
03
Apr
Friend Center
5:00 PM
One Last Night With Dr. King: MLK - I've Been to the Mountaintop
SPIA in NJ header
05
Apr
Julis Romo Rabinowitz Building
12:00 PM
Democracy in Action Series: Queer Black Advocacy in New Jersey

Research & Reports

SPIA in NJ takes a justice-centered approach to the public policy questions that matter to New Jerseyans.

Whether it’s climate, healthcare, housing, immigration, education, finance or any number of other issue areas — SPIA faculty, students and researchers are teaming up with partners statewide to ask hard questions and work together to find policy solutions.