IGS was created a century ago to provide research expertise to the Legislature regarding public issues of the day. Our core mission remains promoting interdisciplinary research with a principal focus on American and California governance, politics, and policy. We bring together faculty members and students from across the Berkeley campus with an interdisciplinary focus not easily replicated by a single department. IGS is home to the Berkeley IGS Poll, a periodic survey of California public opinion on important matters of politics, public policy, and public issues. The poll, which is disseminated widely, seeks to provide a broad measure of contemporary public opinion, and to generate data for subsequent scholarly analysis.
Mission Statement
The Institute of Governmental Studies stands at the forefront of research, teaching and service in California and American politics and policy. Interdisciplinary and non-partisan, we foster thoughtful discussions of issues across party lines that focus on solutions – not just problems. We engage faculty, research and political practitioners to make a difference in discourse, and in practice. Our mission is anchored by a belief in the transformational power of public service.
More information can be found online at this link: https://igs.berkeley.edu/about