About Us
Founded in 1961, the institute is the principal unit at the University of South Carolina for promoting student and faculty research, scholarship, and public service programs in international affairs and the comparative cross-cultural study of human societies as well as for encouraging and facilitating related teaching and public service activities.
The Institute works in cooperation with faculty and research units in various colleges and departments of the university to facilitate research on public policy issues. It provides consultative and training services and undertakes special research projects for governmental and nongovernmental organizations, foundations, and public sector agencies.
For more information on the Walker Institute, see the 2011 Director's Report.
Functions
Colloquia
The Walker Institute sponsors colloquia in order to help faculty members and graduate students keep abreast of intellectual developments within academic disciplines concerned with international studies and gives faculty members an opportunity to display the results of their current research. The events are open to the general public. Walker Institute colloquia are formal academic events where scholars present the results of their research, or where American or foreign public officials discuss policy issues. Commentators often offer critical reviews and raise pertinent issues for discussion.
Conferences
Academic conferences are primary forums for the exchange of ideas and the examination of new contributions to knowledge. In addition to managing conferences of which it is the principal sponsor, the Walker Institute also contributes either financially and administratively to a number of other academic convocations.
WIIAS Associates Program
University faculty whose research or teaching interests include international and cross-cultural issues are encouraged to apply for Associate status at the Walker Institute. USC system faculty and faculty at other academic institutions within a 50-mile radius of USC-Columbia are eligible for Associate status. Appointments are for a two-year initial period and are renewable.
Palmetto Forum
The Palmetto Forum is a world affairs luncheon seminar designed to stimulate the discussion of international issues within the Columbia, non-academic, professional community. It meets monthly at Columbia's Palmetto Club and its membership has expanded to over 300 subscribers, among them some of Columbia's most prominent citizens.
Awards
The Walker Institute was selected by the American Association of University Administrators to receive the 2007 Nikolai Khaladjan International Award. This award recognizes the Walker Institute for our contributions in advancing international study and research; the award was presented at the national convention of the AAUA on June 29 in Charleston.