About Us

The Center for Policy Research (CPR) was formally established in September 1987. Research conducted under the auspices of CPR addresses policy-relevant topics in the fields of international affairs, political science, public administration, and public policy. CPR serves multidisciplinary and cross-departmental needs at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy and promotes the goal of increasing the University at Albany’s level of sponsored research activity. CPR supports fundamental research, applied research, and outreach activities.

The Center has over 30 years’ experience conducting applied research, analysis, and outreach across a range of public policy and issue areas. CPR has a long and notable history of managing and implementing grants and sponsored programs for the Government of the United States, including projects for the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of Naval Research. CPR has also worked with private sponsors, such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Smith Richardson Foundation, and the Center for Retirement Research.

CPR is a leader at the University in the areas of policy-related research and outreach. Since 2004, the faculty have worked with CPR to bring in over $20 million dollars’ worth of grant funding, averaging over $1.5 million per year.  In recent years, the Center’s profile in the areas of conflict and international security have risen dramatically with the creation of the Project on Violent Conflict and the Project on International Security, Commerce, and Economic Statecraft.  The Center, led by Professor Victor Asal, has more than 20 staff, researchers, and affiliated faculty. Other key Center personnel include Mrs. Lois Brando Pownall and Mr. Jim Levy.