Our promise is to improve the lives of all Americans by giving policymakers access to high-quality information and engaging citizens as active participants in the formation of public policy.

The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement is located at Drake University and serves as a venue and catalyst for dynamic non-partisan research, learning, and outreach to promote understanding of the policy issues to which Senator Tom Harkin devoted his career.

Join us at the 2024 Harkin Summit!

The Harkin Summit brings together key champions and implementers from around the world to increase employment of people with disabilities. The 2024 event will be held in Washington, D.C. at the JW Marriott Hotel.

New Retirement Security Report!

Rewarding, Challenging, and Under Resourced: 

A Qualitative Review of the Experiences from
Iowa SHIIP-SMP Volunteer Counselors Serving Medicare Beneficiaries

Latest news from The Harkin Institute

Get the latest information from The Harkin Institute newsletter and more.

Fall 2024 Sussman Lecture, October 23

The Harkin Institute is thrilled to announce this Fall’s Sussman Lecture, “Students Are Humans First” with Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab. Dr. Goldrick-Rab will discuss the challenges students face in meeting their basic needs while earning a college education. She explored this topic in her award-winning book, Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream

An Evening with Charlie Cook 2024

An Evening with Charlie Cook will take place on Monday, November 11, 2024. The event is an opportunity to hear insight and analysis on the state of American politics by one of the leading authorities on the U.S. political scene. This year, Cook will also share important insights from the 2024 General Election.

Address: 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311

Phone: (515) 271-3623

Email: harkininstitute@drake.edu

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.