The Weidenbaum Center is a research institute at Washington University in St. Louis that supports social scientific research in the fields of public policy, economics, political science, and sociology. The Center funds faculty research, provides administrative support for research activities, and sponsors a wide range of public affairs programs. In doing so, the Center serves as a bridge between scholars, policymakers, and the general public. Through unbiased empirical research and events, the Center addresses many of the pressing public policy issues facing America and the world today.
The Weidenbaum Center is located on the Washington University Danforth Campus in Seigle Hall, Suite 170. Click here for campus map & closest parking garage
The old saying “all politics is local” has become increasingly outdated in a world of growing political polarization. In recent years, federal lawmakers have been motivated to focus more on national politics, WashU political scientist and Weidenbaum Center Resident Fellow Jaclyn Kaslovsky says.
In a paper recently published in the American Journal of Political Science, Kaslovsky and co-author Pamela Ban, an assistant professor of political science at the University of California, San Diego, found that women in the U.S. House of Representatives were especially likely to discuss their districts when speaking on the congressional floor. “Women are bringing their constituents into the conversation,” Kaslovsky said.
WashU Source article: Are female politicians better advocates for their districts?
Each year, the Weidenbaum Center funds hundreds of thousands of dollars in research for the social sciences at Washington University. Please join us to hear four WashU faculty members and one WashU undergraduate student, give short presentations on research the Center has funded.
View EventWeidenbaum Center Director Andrew Reeves and a panel of faculty experts will share their thoughts and insights on the first 100 days under President Donald Trump.
View EventPlease join us to mix and mingle with Weidenbaum Center friends and colleagues. A short program will be followed by a brief presentation to this year's recipient(s) of the Weidenbaum Center Award for Excellence.
View Event
As a Political Science PhD student, being a member of the Weidenbaum Center has been instrumental in my growth as a scholar. Through the Center’s events, I engage with cutting-edge research on some of the most pressing political issues, broadening my perspective on innovative methodologies and the future of political inquiry. Additionally, the Weidenbaum Center has directly supported my academic success, providing the resources and mentorship to elevate my research on both institutional and behavioral aspects of American politics. My collaboration with the Center has allowed me to give back to the St. Louis community through the St. Louis Policy Initiative, bridging rigorous academic research with real-world impact. The Weidenbaum Center has not only enriched my academic journey, but has also empowered me to contribute meaningfully to both scholarship and society.
―Lukas Alexander Weidenbaum Center Graduate Research Affiliate and Political Science PhD studentWant to see videos of our past events? Check out our YouTube page at the link below.
Past event videos