Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies

30th Anniversary

Established in 1979, the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies (CCPS) has a history of leading scholarly research and practical training. CCPS capitalizes on its Washington, D.C., location by bringing together public policy practitioners and academics to share their research, knowledge, and experiences in a series of advanced institutes, conferences, and workshops on applied politics.

CCPS frequently sponsors conferences, often in conjunction with other Washington DC organizations. In addition, we run well respected institutes in public advocacy and campaign management that have produced talented and knowledgeable professionals.

James Thurber with Philip Davies, the head of the American collection at the British Library in London

Obama, Congress and Lobbyists

Prof. James Thurber presented his paper, Changing the Way Washington Works? President Obama’s Battle with Lobbyists, at a conference on the Obama Presidency in London. CCPS Fellow John Owens, whose paper is titled "Context, Strategy, and Change: Negotiating a Polarised Congress under Single Party Government," organized the conference. Download Program

CCPS Honored 

The Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies received two university-wide awards this year. The University Awards recognize excellence at American University and focuses on the values of Service, Leadership, Creativity, Scholarship, Research and Achievement.

Thomas Williams, who teaches through the Center, received AU's 2010 award for "Outstanding Teaching in an Adjunct Appointment. Professor Williams also received this award in 2004.

Center Director Prof. James Thurber received the 2010 Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Research, and Other Professional Contributions. This is the first time since 2001 that the award has been conferred upon a professor from the School of Public Affairs (SPA). A copy of one of the nomination letters discussing Prof Thurber's contributions is posted here.

Congratulations to both Prof. Williams and Prof. Thurber.

Prof Thurber on the Diane Rehm Show:

On Wednesday morning, April 21, CCPS Director Prof. James Thurber was on the the Diane Rehm show on NPR's WAMU 88.5. The topic was President Obama's leadership style.

The guests were:

James Thurber: professor and director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University

Richard Murphy: served as U.S. Ambassador to Syria, the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia, and former Assistant Secretary of State for Near East and South Asian Affairs under President Reagan

Ron Elving: Washington editor for NPR.

The full show is posted at this link. The webpage for Wednesday's show is posted here. You can learn more about Wednesday's program and post a comment.