About Eagleton
Mission Statement
The Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University explores state and national politics through research, education, and public service, linking the study of politics with its day-to-day practice.
It is my settled conviction that the cultivation of civic responsibility and leadership among the American people in the field of practical political affairs is of vital and increasing importance to our state and nation .... I make this gift especially for the development of and education for responsible leadership in civic and governmental affairs and the solution of their political problems.
The Institute focuses attention on how contemporary political systems work, how they change, and how they might work better. Eagleton’s faculty, centers and programs specialize in the study of: state legislatures and the state executive; public opinion polling and survey research; women’s political participation; minority and immigrant political behavior; campaigns, elections and political parties; ethics; youth civic engagement and political participation; climate change, social policy and politics; and New Jersey politics.
The Institute includes the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) and the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP), both established in the early 1970’s. Eagleton houses the Rutgers Initiative on Climate and Social Policy, Rutgers Program on the Governor, the Clifford P. Case Professorship of Public Affairs, and the Arthur J. Holland Program on Ethics in Government.
For Rutgers graduate and undergraduate students, Eagleton offers a range of education programs, including an undergraduate certificate, graduate fellowships, research assistantships and internships, and opportunities to interact with political practitioners.
Other Eagleton programs include the Youth Political Participation Program, the Program on Immigration and Democracy, New Jersey Project, State House Express, and Electronic Government Project.
The Institute also convenes conferences and other forums for the general public. In addition, Eagleton undertakes projects to enhance political understanding and involvement, often in collaboration with political leaders, government agencies, the media, non-profit groups, and other academic institutions.