Program on Strategy, Policy, and Diplomacy Research
The Bridge Lab
Transforming Research into Real-World Impact
The Bridge Lab empowers emerging scholars to translate their academic expertise into decision-relevant, actionable insights that shape policy, strategy, and diplomacy. Launched in spring 2014, The Bridge Lab has evolved from informal sessions into a comprehensive training program.
Through intensive workshops and collaborative learning, participants develop the critical communication skills needed to engage with government agencies, international organizations, businesses, and nonprofits—amplifying their research beyond academia to create meaningful impact in their communities and around the world.
What Students Gain
Participants in The Bridge Lab develop:
- Professional communication skills — Learn to distill complex research into compelling narratives for diverse audiences, from policymakers and diplomats to business strategists and community stakeholders
- Public engagement expertise — Build confidence presenting research findings in both written and oral formats
- Career-ready portfolios — Create policy briefs, strategy memos, diplomatic analyses, op-eds, and presentations that demonstrate real-world application of scholarly work
- Cross-sector fluency — Understand how to position research for maximum relevance in government, diplomacy, business, and nonprofit contexts
Current Activities
Cybersecurity Initiative
Drawing on the Jackson School’s deep regional and global expertise, the Cybersecurity Initiative steps into this landscape offering classes, research, events, and fora for the exchange in expertise between stakeholders. Learn more.
Outer Space Initiative
The Space Security Initiative (SSI) aims to develop a standing forum in the Pacific Northwest of academics and professionals with an interest in matters of outer space security. Learn more.
Washington DC Spring Break Trip
The Jackson School’s annual spring break trip in Washington D.C. offers undergraduates the opportunity to learn about the foreign policymaking process, connect with internships and early career opportunities, and network with UW alumni and others working in the nation’s capital. Learn more.
Past Activities
