UNLV and The Brookings Institution have announced a four-year renewal of , a collaboration that brings the think tank’s high-quality and independent research to the issues facing the fast-growing Intermountain West region.
Brookings Mountain West started at UNLV in 2009, and has focused Brookings’s world-renowned scholars on the university, the Las Vegas metro area, and the mountain west region. The program has brought together researchers from the two institutions to work on innovative policy solutions to help the city and region grow in robust, inclusive and sustainable ways.
Brookings Mountain West has also helped UNLV offer new programs and research opportunities. More than 50 Brookings scholars have been in residence at UNLV over the last 5 years, and Brookings Mountain West has hosted more than 75 public lectures from visiting scholars. Those scholars also engage with UNLV faculty and students through a unique Brookings Public Policy Minor.
Launched in 2012, the minor is coordinated through UNLV’s Greenspun College of Urban Affairs and includes a curriculum centered on local, national and global themes. It also introduces students to Brookings's scholars and experts - many who work with and advise leaders at the local, state, national, and international levels.
“Brookings scholars benefit from the collaboration with UNLV, ” said Strobe Talbott, president of The Brookings Institution. “The opportunity for our scholars to inform and contribute to public policy decisions in this dynamic and growing region enhances our domestic and global research efforts.”
UNLV president Len Jessup said, “This partnership has given our campus and community unparalleled access to experts leading the national conversation on policy issues affecting our region, nation and world. We’re pleased to extend our relationship with Brookings and look forward to continued collaboration with its scholars on impactful research, outreach and student programming.”
Robert Lang serves as executive director of Brookings Mountain West and the Lincy Institute at UNLV. William E. Brown, Jr. serves as UNLV director of Brookings Mountain West.