The Institute for the Theory and Practice of International Relations, or ITPIR, has a new name: W&M Global Research Institute. Ten years after the founding of the institute, the 19-syllable name no longer accurately described its multidisciplinary focus. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners participated in interviews, branding exercises and surveys to find a more fitting moniker.
“It’s not flashy. It’s simple. It encompasses the breadth of what we do. And it lets us tell our story,” says a blog post published by the institute. “We house global research projects beyond the ivory tower. Our work ranges from big data analysis that informs policymakers to service-oriented projects that leverage research to help communities where they need it most.”