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The Border Policy Research Institute
The Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI) at Western Washington University is a multidisciplinary institute that undertakes research to inform policy-makers on matters related to the Canada–United States border, particularly in the Cascadia region.
Priority focus areas include:
- Border management
- Economic relationships
- Cross-border mobility
- Cross-border collaboration
Western Washington University established the BPRI in 2005 after September 11th transformed border relations and security. The BPRI continues to promote research, academic programs, and public programming on critical policy issues affecting border crossings between British Columbia and Washington State. We work closely with cognate programs at the university and collaborate with many public and private entities throughout the region.
Business Potential tariffs could impact annual WA imports of $7 billion from B.C.
Shoppers returning to Whatcom County not likely to be directly affected. Tariffs between the U.S. and Canada are relatively rare.
A new book looks at how border closures divided lives during COVID
It’s been five years since Covid 19 began spreading around the world from its origin in Wuhan, China. In that emergent time of the pandemic, there was widespread concern about clusters of the virus, in Italy, then Iran, then an outbreak at a nursing home in the Pacific Northwest. By March of 2020, an unprecedented international phenomenon took place: countries began closing their borders.
When the World Closed its Doors by Laurie Trautman and Edward Alden looks at how this international effort disrupted the lives of people who had grown reliant on movement between countries; from migrant workers to cross-border families.
WWU's Border Policy Research Institute launches new interactive tool on Canada-US trade along the border
BPRI platform provides a web-based tool to facilitate analysis into the cross-border trade relationship between Canada and the US.
OECD to host WWU’s Laurie Trautman for opening remarks at Paris forum
Director of the Border Policy Research Institute to discuss international cross-border governance
Trautman will be hosted by the OECD and will share her expertise and experience working with organizations and initiatives in the Cascadia Region to advance cross-border cooperation. The Cascadia region is increasingly recognized as an international model of how regions can work together to transcend the barriers posed by an international border, and similar efforts in Europe provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge on these issues. The forum will foster a dialogue bringing together international perspectives on cross-border cooperation, including experts from the US – Mexico border, Peru, Europe, and other global regions.