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Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute
The Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute (PAAI) at American University offers advanced workshops conducted by advocacy and lobbying professionals throughout the year and two intensive courses. Taking advantage of its setting in the nation's capital, PAAI offers courses on the representation of organized interests to the federal government combining academic approaches with the real world of Washington advocacy.
The two-week intensive course (4 credit hours) offered during the Winter Intersession and May (Summer term) focus on major aspects of professional lobbying and political influence. They feature speakers from the faculty of American University and dozens of prominent professional lobbyists representing corporations, trade and professional associations, public interest groups, labor unions, as well as law and lobbying firms. The course also features perspectives from communications, digital marketing, survey research, and fundraising professionals.
The workshop examines the full range of strategies and tactics pursued by organized interests and their lobbyists in attempting to gain access, obtain and exchange information, and influence policy makers in Congress and the Executive Branch. Drawing on their rich body of experiences, prominent lobbyists involved in all aspects of their profession offer lectures on such topics as direct lobbying, fundraising, the uses of different kinds of political money, various types of grassroots programs, coalition-building, advertising and public relations, and litigation strategies.
The Institute has a longstanding commitment to values and ethics-based lobbying, providing lectures and discussions on all aspects of the topic. It also recognizes the need for different backgrounds and perspectives when developing effective advocacy campaigns.
Workshop participants are divided into teams to apply this knowledge by simulating the activities of a real-life lobbying firm. Under the direction of a senior Washington lobbyist serving as a mentor, each team creates a strategic lobbying plan on an important current public policy issue for a prospective client. On the final day of the institute the combined student and professional teams make a presentation of their strategic plans to a panel of faculty and lobbying professionals.
AU students should see their academic adviser for information on enrolling in the institutes. There are also a limited number of seats available to non-AU students to participate in the Institute either for- or not for-credit. Non-AU students and professionals can apply by submitting a resume and letter of interest to luttley@american.edu.
The deadlines for Non-AU students to submit interest in participating are:
- November 14, 2025 for the Winter Intersession Institute
- April 10, 2026 for the Spring Institute
Course Dates
The Winter Intersession will follow a new schedule with some course meetings occurring in December to adhere to University policy. All class sessions are in person.
- December 15-16, 2025, 9 AM-5 PM
- January 2, 2026, 9 AM-5 PM
- January 5-7, 2026, 9 AM-4:30 PM
- January 8-9, 2026, 9 AM - Noon
- January 10, 2026, 9 AM-1 PM
The Spring Institute will meet in person.
- May 11-22, 2026
- May 23, 2026 from 9 AM-1 PM
PAAI Scholarships
The Center offers several financial awards, including the Griffin Scholarship for the Public Affairs & Advocacy Institute, to help offset the costs of participating in the institutes for degree and non-degree students, and the Margery Kraus Public Affairs and Advocacy Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students.
To apply for scholarships, please review application requirements through Blackbaud. The deadline to submit scholarship applications are:
- Winter Intersession is November 24, 2025
- Spring Institute deadline is April 24, 2026
Information for Students
- 4 credit hours.
- The Winter Intersession Institute is part of the academic Spring semester.
- The Spring Institute is part of the academic Summer semester.
- Talk with your adviser about registering for GOVT-022 / GOVT-522.
- Scholarship information is available.
Information for Professionals
- Cost (non-credit): $1500 plus fees.
- You provide your own lodging and travel arrangements.
- The course schedule runs from approximately 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday.
- Limited spots are available for professionals in the Winter Intersession due to higher student registrations. More information available in early November.
- To apply, email a resume and letter of interest to luttely@american.edu.
Recommended Literature
- Patrick Griffin and James A. Thurber, “Teaching Public Policy Advocacy by Combining Academic Knowledge and Professional Wisdom,” Interest Groups and Advocacy, 4 (2015), pp. 40-51. - Page 40-51.
- Gary Andres, Patrick Griffin, James A. Thurber, “The Contemporary Presidency: Managing White House-Congressional Relations: Observations from Inside the Process,” Presidential Studies Quarterly, 30:3 (2000), pp. 553-563.
- James A. Thurber, “From Campaigning to Lobbying,” in Candice J. Nelson, David A. Dulio, Stephen K. Medvic, eds., Shades of Gray: Perspectives on Campaign Ethics (Brookings Institution Press, 2002), pp. 151-170.
- James A. Thurber, “Changing the Way Washington Works? Assessing President Obama’s Battle with Lobbyist,” Presidential Studies Quarterly, 2011.
- James A. Thurber, “Obama’s Battle with Lobbyists,” in James A. Thurber (Ed.), Obama in Office Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishers. 2011.
- James A. Thurber, “Lobbying, Ethics, and Procedural Reforms: The Do-Nothing 109th Congress Does Nothing about Reforming Itself,” Extensions. Fall 2006.
- James A. Thurber, Testimony before the House and Senate Rules committees on lobbying reform, March 2006.