McClure Center

The McClure Center impact areas

Events

Communicating information to broad audiences across the state in an accessible manner stimulates public discourse and informs public dialogue and policy. The McClure Center’s public engagement includes Policy Pub, formal events in the State Capitol and presentations to governments, businesses, community groups and others. Many of our events have strong connections with democracy, law, civics and civil discourse.

Public dialogue can take place in many formats and venues. The McClure Center hosts events that are intentionally large or intimate, formal or informal.

Since 2017, the McClure Center has partnered with the University of Idaho Rangeland Center to co-host the annual Rangeland Fall Forum. We frequently partner with the University of Idaho College of Law and Boise State University’s Andrus Center for Public Policy.

The McClure Center also forms partnerships for specific conversations, like the 2019 Science Diplomacy Forum with the University of Idaho Martin Institute and the University of Idaho College of Science, which brought the former Science & Technology Adviser to the U.S. Secretary of State to the Moscow campus in front of an audience of over 300. Earlier in 2019, we partnered with the University of Idaho College of Law to bring David Moss, an expert on American democracy, to Boise for a dynamic public forum inside the Idaho State Capitol's Lincoln Auditorium.

Research

The McClure Center for Public Policy Research conducts and publishes research on public policy and public affairs issues that impact the state, the region and the nation. Public policy is only as effective as the information, research and analysis upon which it is based. The McClure Center’s goal is to be a credible source for such research and analysis.

All McClure Center publications contain no policy recommendations.

View our research reports and policy briefs

Facilitation

The McClure Center convenes and collaborates with broad groups of stakeholders and rightsholders, empowering and facilitating enduring approaches to pressing challenges. We serve as a neutral facilitator.

New efforts, such as the Gem State Air Quality Initiative, build on the McClure Center’s leadership of the Idaho Climate-Economy Impacts Assessment, engagement in the University Network for Collaborative Governance (UNCG) and facilitation of the Idaho Governor’s Salmon Workgroup.

Examples of recent convenings and collaborations include:

• Idaho Climate-Economy Impacts Assessment: Convened the assessment, with participation from many entities, which connects the latest scientific research on Idaho’s changing climate with economic risks and opportunities that impact businesses, residents and local and state economies.
• Idaho Governor’s Salmon Workgroup: Facilitated a diverse set of stakeholders as they collaboratively developed unified policy recommendations for Governor Little to assist him as he shapes Idaho’s policy on salmon and steelhead recovery.

Science policy

The McClure Center supports initiatives that connect science and public policy and advance the science policy ecosystem in Idaho, including:

• The Idaho Science & Technology Policy Fellowship (ISTPF): This nonpartisan program, a partnership with Boise State University and Idaho State University, places scientists, social scientists and engineers in Idaho state government. Fellows learn firsthand about policymaking while using their knowledge and skills to address pressing challenges facing the state.

• Science policy trainings: We offer regular opportunities to learn about science policy, enhance technical skills and expand science policy networks. Specific offerings include the history of science and technology policy, science policy analysis, science policy communications and more.

   

  Orientation week science policy trainings
  Open to the public
  Aug. 25-29, 2025, orientation week schedule

   

• The McClure Symposium on Science and Public Policy: The McClure Symposium launched in the early 2000s, before the McClure Center opened its doors. Symposiums have brought together the science community and those who develop public policy, with topics ranging from Greater Sage-Grouse conservation to fiscal policy.

Student programs

The McClure Center’s student programs inspire innovative problem solvers and informed civic leaders with a passion for discovering and using knowledge. Our high-level, applied learning and research experiences focus on local, state, national and international policy, as well as connections with journalism, history and communications.
 
McClure Center student programs range from mentoring high school students to providing undergraduate, graduate and professional students with engagement in public policy research.

Future Leaders

The McClure Center is committed to engaging students in the public policy process. That journey can begin in high school or even earlier. We partner with existing youth development programs to offer applied learning experiences in public policy and civic engagement. To learn more about the McClure Center’s Future Leaders programs, please contact us.

Undergraduate students

One of the cornerstones of the McClure Center is engaging the next generation of civic and community leaders. We are proud to offer robust, high-level, applied learning programs for University of Idaho students. These programs create opportunities for students to use the academic skills they have honed through coursework and apply these skills in real world experiences.

Connecting studies with policy strengthens students’ resumes and allows them to explore a variety of career paths. To learn more about the McClure Center’s Undergraduate Students programs, please contact us.

Graduate and professional students

The McClure Center is delighted to expand student offerings and provide opportunities for graduate and professional students. Research and other immersive endeavors are constructed to help students conduct nonpartisan research, inform public dialogue and policy and learn about public policy making.

Interested students and faculty are encouraged to contact the McClure Center director.

Who we are

University of Idaho’s James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research was launched in 2007 and has become Idaho's most trusted and preeminent public policy research entity. Based in Boise, the McClure Center addresses policy issues of importance to Idaho and the region.

McClure legacy

Jim and Louise McClure met when they joined the U of I choral group, the Vandaleers, and built a life of public service rooted in intellect, music and deep Idaho ties. Jim served in the U.S. Senate for 18 years, while Louise played a vital role in diplomacy, arts advocacy and civic leadership. Together, they championed education, policy and the public good — leaving a legacy that lives on through the McClure Center.

Learn more about Jim | Learn more about Louise

Make a gift

Sustaining the legacy of Senator Jim and Louise McClure is at the heart of everything we do. Senator McClure was renowned for his attention to detail, understanding of policy implications and nonpartisan approach, which coupled powerfully with Louise’s aptitude for relationship building and strategic planning. We are proud that the McClure Center reflects their values and dedication to public service.

Whether it is supporting high-quality hands-on learning experiences for students, conducting evidence-based research or engaging Idaho communities in helping address some of Idaho’s greatest challenges, this work does not happen without you! Your generosity is instrumental in making everything possible. We cannot thank you enough.

Please contact mcclurecenter@uidaho.edu or 208-364-4549 with any questions.

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