At the Hoover Institution, the Summer Policy Boot Camp reflects a major rethinking about how to train people to become successful policy leaders. While students may learn about policy issues and analysis in the classroom, some Stanford scholars say that they do not always develop the skills needed after college to deliver policy results in the real world.

A cohort of Hoover fellows, all of whom served in prominent leadership and military positions in the administration of George W. Bush, reflected on their personal experiences during the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

Captain Christopher H. Sharman, representing the US Navy, is a National Security Affairs Fellow for the academic year 2019–20 at the Hoover Institution. In this interview, Sharman discusses his development as a US Navy intelligence officer, his work as a naval attaché in China and Vietnam; and how China’s naval forces measure up to those of the US Navy. His views are his own and do not reflect the official policy or position of the US Navy, US Department of Defense, or the US government.

Martin Anderson, the Keith and Jan Hurlbut Fellow at the Hoover Institution, passed away on January 3, 2015. 

From June 20 through June 24, 2016, the Hoover Institution Library & Archives brought together scholars from across the globe for its third annual Workshop on Political Economy. Organized by Stanford history professor Jennifer Burns, the workshop invites researchers from diverse fields to study the history of economic thought using the archives of such notable thinkers as Karl Popper, Milton Friedman, and F.A. Hayek. Participants spent the week pursuing individual research projects in the Hoover reading room and participating in daily roundtables and discussions dedicated to expanding interdisciplinary conversations surrounding economics, political theory, and history.

Every year the Hoover Institution gathers leading academics, central bank authorities, and financial experts to explore new research and developments in monetary policy. Presenters, who reflect widely varying and often disparate views, share and critique research projects. Moderators bring other perspectives to light by encouraging in-depth discussion periods following each presentation. The direct, big-picture conversations that result are rare in academic conferences, earning the event a strong audience among economics reporters, central bankers, and the financial community. 

The Hoover Institution marked one hundred years of its history by expounding its commitment to the ideas of individual, economic, and political freedom; private enterprise; and limited and effective government.

General Stanley McChrystal, a four-star US Army general (retired), spoke at the Spring 2011 Hoover retreat dinner on April 17, 2011. In his speech, titled “Geopolitical Challenges and Opportunities Facing the United States,” McChrystal discussed the differing perspectives and misunderstandings regarding the issues in Afghanistan and Iran, how important it is to engage in people politics, and the need for understanding so as to build sustainable relationships.

George P. Shultz, Hoover Institution distinguished fellow, beloved colleague, accomplished diplomat and policy maker, and one of only two people in US history to serve four different presidential cabinet posts died February 6, 2021. He was 100. In his career of more than thirty years at the Hoover Institution, Shultz was a prolific author of influential books about a wide breadth of public policy issues. His colleagues at Hoover called him the “great convener,” because he would assemble extraordinary minds to tackle the most difficult and vexing problems. He never shied away from trying to find answers to challenges.