About

What is the Diplomacy Lab?

Launched by the Department of State in 2013 by Secretary of State John Kerry, Diplomacy Lab is a public-private partnership that enables the State Department to "course-source" research and innovation related to global policy challenges by harnessing the efforts of students and faculty experts at colleges and universities across the United States. Projects originate in offices across the State Department and include diverse topics on which faculty bid. Through engagement and education, students and faculty actively contribute to the Secretary of State’s public diplomacy goals.

IU's Diplomacy Lab has grown significantly since it was piloted in Bloomington during fall 2016.

Top 30In 2016 IU joined an elite group of leading academic institutions as a Diplomacy Lab university

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300+IUB students involved in over 20 IU diplomacy lab courses

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How it works at IUB

Over the course of a semester, faculty leaders guide students in developing research projects that accomplish the goals outlined by State Department ‘clients’. Students (graduate and undergraduate), who wish to complete a project enroll in participating IUB courses. They have opportunities throughout the semester to discuss their research with State Department officials.

Upon completion of the projects, students may have the opportunity compete in Wonk Tank and present their work at the Diplomacy Lab Fair in Washington, D.C. Past participants have gone on to government internships, graduate work in international relations, and permanent jobs with the State Department.

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Diplomacy Lab @ IU

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