Housed within the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, the Institute served as a bridge between research and practice—connecting leading academics and global policymakers through evidence-based insights and policy engagement.
A centerpiece of this effort was the Pearson Global Forum, held annually from 2018 to 2024. The Forum convened leading thinkers, scholars, and practitioners to discuss preventing conflict, resolving it, and supporting recovery in its aftermath. Recordings from past Global Forums are available on the Harris School's YouTube channel.
The Institute was a hub for cutting-edge research and education, bringing together esteemed faculty and dedicated students to explore the complexities of global conflict. The Institute’s four chaired faculty members, University Professor and Nobel laureate James A. Robinson, Distinguished Service Professor and Nobel laureate Roger Myerson, and Professors Christopher Blattman, Oeindrila Dube, along with 18 faculty affiliates and 10 associates, contributed influential work on the political, economic, and social dimensions of international development and conflict resolution.
Through the Pearson Fellows and Scholars Program, the Institute supported students committed to understanding the causes and consequences of conflict and who demonstrated potential for meaningful impact in the field.
Fellows & Alumni
Each year The Pearson Institute selected a new cohort of Pearson Fellows, highly accomplished students who demonstrated leadership, academic aptitude, and dedication to global conflict resolution. The Pearson Fellows program supported students enrolled in the Master of Public Policy program at the Harris School of Public Policy