Rice’s Baker Institute and its Center for Energy Studies at top of global think tank rankings

Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy has risen to the No. 1 ranking among the best university-affiliated think tanks in the world, up from No. 2 the previous year, according to the 2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report published today. Its Center for Energy Studies (CES) maintained its standing as the top energy and resource policy think tank and was recognized as a Center of Excellence for being ranked No. 1 for three consecutive years.

“The rise of the Baker Institute and our Center for Energy Studies to the very top rankings in this year’s Global Go To Think Tank Index is the culmination of what we created over a quarter of a century ago and of our adherence to excellence in data-driven, nonpartisan research and policy recommendations on public policy issues that reach decision-makers in the private and public sectors,” said Baker Institute Director Edward Djerejian. “I commend all our fellows, scholars and staff, as well as our Board of Advisors and Roundtable members, for this outstanding achievement.” Read more.

The United States cannot hope to compete with China based on workforce size; rather, America must compete by being first to create new knowledge and inventions and put them to good use.

Neal Lane, Senior Fellow in Science and Technology Policy,
and Norman Augustine in The Hill

Dr. Quianta Moore named first Huffington Fellow in Child Health Policy

Dr. Quianta Moore, who currently holds a fellowship in child health policy at the Baker Institute, has been named the first Huffington Fellow in Child Health Policy. The Huffington Foundation gifted the Baker Institute $4 million to endow Moore and advance the research of the institute’s Child Health Policy Program.

Moore has spent nearly a decade developing research-driven policies to advance the health of children, employing mixed methodologies — including community-based participatory research and surveys — to gain insight into the health needs of communities and to develop tailored health policy recommendations.

“The Huffington Foundation endowment will allow me to enhance our program’s research that prioritizes data-driven decision-making, and that contributes to meaningful change for children and families in the communities in which they reside,” said Moore.

Click here to learn more about this prestigious honor and Moore’s research.

Institute welcomes new associate director for membership

Rachel Smith is the Baker Institute’s new associate director for membership, and will help grow support for the Baker Institute Roundtable and the membership forums within the Center for Health and Biosciences and the Center for the United States and Mexico, as well as general annual giving campaigns.

Rachel brings over 10 years of fundraising, alumni relations and event planning experience, including previous work at Baylor College of Medicine, Rice’s Office of Alumni Regional Outreach, the University of Arizona Foundation and her alma mater, the University of Kansas. “It’s truly a privilege to be back on campus, supporting such an integral part of the university,” Rachel said. Contact her at 713-348-4945 or rachel.smith@rice.edu.

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Webinar — Quarterly Gas Report, International Energy Agency. Global gas markets are facing unprecedented volatility, and demand recovery in 2021 remains uncertain. Join us as experts from the International Energy Agency (IEA) consider these trends and present the IEA's Quarterly Gas Report. January 29 | 9:00 am CST

Webinar — Reluctant Reception: Refugees, Migration and Governance in the Middle East and North Africa. Middle East fellow Kelsey P. Norman explores her new book about refugees and governance in the Middle East and North Africa with Abdoul Raouf Ousmane, a program associate with the Immigrant Health Access Project and a former refugee. February 16 | 11:00 am CST

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