The Public Purpose Journal is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal of American University’s School of Public Affairs graduate students since 2003. Students are invited to submit articles addressing pressing policy issues and have the opportunity to be published in print and online.

The PPJ’s student team is comprised of an Editor in Chief, a Financial Director, a Communications Director, a Managing Online Editor, and other student editors. Every member of the student team is involved with editing submissions that the journal receives, and some even submit writing of their own.

In addition to the student team, the PPJ is guided by the Faculty Board, a collection of faculty members at the School of Public Affairs who also review submissions post editing for final approval before the student writing is published. Learn more about the 2025-2026 academic year faculty board below!