News

Alex Bick
Apr 21, 2025

Bick Moderates Panel on Presidential Uses of Economic Power

UVA Batten associate professor Alex Bick — an expert on national security policy and international affairs — served as a moderator for a panel discussion at the Miller Center’s 2025 William and Carol Stevenson Conference titled “The Future of American Financial and Economic Statecraft.” The conference examined how the Trump administration, as well as future presidencies, might use the levers of economic power.

Kyle S.H. Dobson
Apr 17, 2025

Ten Small Words Can Make a Big Difference in Community Policing

New research from UVA Batten assistant professor Kyle S. H. Dobson has identified a simple and cost-effective method for improving police interactions with community members that requires only ten small words. In a paper published last month in Nature Communications, Dobson and his co-researchers found that an officer stating a benevolent intention up front —  something as simple as, “I’m walking around trying to get to know the community,” — made a substantial difference in how community members responded. 

Chris Mooney
Apr 16, 2025

When a Data Point Tells a Story

Garrett Hall hosted veteran climate reporter Chris Mooney for this week's Batten Hour to discuss the intersection of data and narrative to tell stories that capture and change the direction of policy. Mooney is currently a professor of practice and a practitioner fellow at the UVA Environmental Institute which co-sponsored the event. 

Andrew Bishop
Apr 15, 2025

Alumni in Action: Andrew Bishop (MPP '20)

Andrew Bishop (MPP ’20) is advancing innovation in Richmond Public Schools, where he is director for Data Systems and Research in the district’s Talent Office. Bishop leads efforts to improve technological infrastructure across the district, working to strengthen internal systems that support educators and staff. 

Aisha Amjad
Apr 14, 2025

Student Spotlight: Aisha Amjad, BA ‘25

Aisha Amjad transferred to UVA from Northern Virginia Community College in 2023, entering the Batten bachelor degree program. She has a deep interest in global affairs and a passion for advocating for human rights, and hopes to pursue a career in foreign service or the nonprofit sector after she graduates this spring.

Bryan Stevenson
Apr 11, 2025

A “Fierce Moral Advocate,” Bryan Stevenson Inspires UVA Batten Audience

Almost 200 people came to Garrett Hall to hear from renowned civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson, recipient of the 2025 Thomas Jefferson Medal in Citizen Leadership. He spoke with UVA Batten Dean Ian H. Solomon, who introduced Stevenson as a "fierce moral advocate," with an abiding dedication to helping the poor, the incarcerated, the wrongly accused, and others whom society largely has forgotten or neglected. 

 

Rob Sachs
Apr 08, 2025

Leading With Your Best Tape

The tools to bring podcasts to market have never been more accessible, but doing a project well and gaining traction is a more complex story. While nearly 80 percent of listeners finish the episodes they start, most podcasts are lucky to reach 100 listeners, said 

 

Award-winning podcaster Rob Sachs, who is vice president of audio at Foreign Policy magazine, joined us for Batten Hour this week to workshop ideas on how to produce and sustain a compelling podcast. 

Paul Decker
Apr 02, 2025

The Next Age of Disruption in Evidence-Based Policymaking

From his vantage point as an economist and analyst for the past four decades, Paul Decker sees the world on the cusp of a new era of policymaking driven by the unprecedented availability of data and by artificial intelligence. Decker was the featured speaker at this week’s Batten Hour. He is president and CEO of Mathematica, an employee-owned data analysis, research, and evaluation firm with global reach. 

Jacob Rizzio
Mar 27, 2025

Student Spotlight: Jacob Rizzio, BA ‘25

Before he’s even graduated from UVA Batten, Jacob Rizzio already has hands-on public policy experience, from interning on various planning projects with York County, Virginia, where he’s from, to the National Association of Counties in Washington, D.C. His favorite memory from his time at Batten? Read his spotlight to find out. 

A.E. Dick Howard
Mar 27, 2025

A.E. Dick Howard Receives 2025 Outstanding Virginian Award

Renowned international constitutional law expert and the longest-serving professor at UVA, A.E. Dick Howard has been selected as this year’s Outstanding Virginian. The award is given by a committee of Virginia General Assembly, on which UVA Batten Dean Ian H. Solomon serves, to honor those whose contributions, achievements, and leadership inspire citizens of the commonwealth.  

A'dorian Murray-Thomas
Mar 27, 2025

A’dorian Murray-Thomas: Turning Personal Trauma into Public Service

Nonprofit founder and history-making elected official A’dorian Murray-Thomas shared her experience, strength, and hope from the perspective of a young leader with students during Monday’s Batten Hour. Her talk was equal parts inspiring and inquisitive, exploring the power of youth storytelling, service, and transforming trauma into fuel for social change.

Garrett Hall at Sunset

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