CPP Welcomes Dr. Kent Weaver to Campus

The College of Public Policy (CPP) was delighted to host Dr. Kent Weaver as its Eminent Visiting Policy Scholar and for a series of workshops and lectures for faculty, invited practitioners, and members of the public.

Dr. Kent’s series commenced with Case Teaching for Public Policy, a workshop directly informed by his experience in the field of comparative policy studies, theories of loss imposition, and the elements of policy success and policy failure. Proceedings began with a discussion on case teaching and participant centered learning. Further sessions considered the development of learning objectives, teaching with simulations, and more. A number of public policy scenarios applicable to Qatar and the wider region were applied to enrich participants’ learning outcomes.

In his public lecture The Perils of Policy Success, Dr. Kent examined why government policies and projects that initially show promise fail when scaled up or replicated. He also outlined how highly successful organizations can experience mission drift or encounter difficulties when addressing new tasks, and why policies that seem effective in one setting may not deliver sustainable results when expanded. Drawing on real-world case studies, Dr. Kent identified key external constraints and organizational challenges that often undermine policy success, while offering strategies to improve outcomes and ensure long-term effectiveness.

Dr. Kent concluded his series with a master class exclusive to CPP students and faculty. Proceedings focused on one of the most challenging issues in public policy: how to design and implement policies that successfully change behavior and ensure compliance. Dr. Kent shared his extensive experience in policy design, offering insights into the complexities of creating policies that drive long-term behavioral shifts, particularly in the context of public policy challenges.

Commenting on the series and Dr. Kent’s appointment, Dr. Leslie A. Pal, Dean, CPP, said: “It is an honor and privilege to welcome Dr. Kent to our college and university. A pioneer in case study writing and teaching, his knowledge is second to none and will positively impact our research on policy challenges facing Qatar, the region, and the world. Dr. Kent’s insights and experience will also benefit our students who are already well-versed in the importance of case studies and scenarios to their learning and research activities.”

Kent Weaver is Professor Emeritus of Public Policy and Government and Faculty Director for Executive Education and International Initiatives at the McCourt School of Public Policy. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Harvard University.