Who We Are
The William D. Ruckelshaus Center is an impartial resource for collaborative problem solving in the State of Washington and the Pacific Northwest. We are dedicated to assisting public, private, non-profit, tribal, and community leaders in their efforts to build consensus around complex public policy issues. We also build problem-solving capacity by helping individuals and organizations better understand, initiate, and lead collaborative public policy efforts.
The Center is a joint effort of Washington State University, hosted by the Office of the Provost, and the University of Washington, hosted by the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. Interested in our work? Learn more about our current projects!
Our faculty and staff are highly skilled in process design and consensus building. Our advisory board includes local, state, and regional leaders representing a broad range of constituencies and sectors. Please contact us with any project inquiries!
Mission
The mission of the William D. Ruckelshaus Center is to help parties involved in complex public policy challenges in the State of Washington and the Pacific Northwest tap university expertise to develop collaborative, durable, and effective solutions.
Vision
The Center envisions a future in which government leaders, policy makers, and community members routinely employ the tools of collaborative decision making to design, conduct, and implement successful public policy processes.
Identity
The Center is a joint effort of Washington State University, hosted by the Office of the Provost, and the University of Washington, hosted by the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. Building upon the strengths of these two institutions, the Center applies university resources to solve complex public policy challenges.
Values
Collaboration, consensus, impartiality, knowledge, education, inquiry, and civility.
Stay Connected!
Subscribe to the Center’s monthly newsletter to receive exciting updates about projects, events, and more.
Our Story
Learn more about the Center’s founder and history by reading our story.