Founded in 2008, The school is devoted to public policy research and education, and is led by Martha Hall Findlay, who previously served as the president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, another Calgary-based think tank.

From its inception, the School of Public Policy was designed as an interdisciplinary research, teaching, and outreach institute that would draw on expertise from academics across the University of Calgary and beyond.

With a strong focus on outreach the school has appointed Research and Executive Fellows from private, non-governmental, regulatory, and policy organizations across Canada.

The school was formally launched on May 13, 2009, at an opening dinner[2] during which former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivered a keynote address.

The purpose of the Lecture Series is to expose students, faculty and members of the Calgary community to eminent scholars of international stature and to promote discussion of important public issues.

Previous speakers include: The Atlantic journalist Anne Applebaum, legal scholar Richard Pildes, Nobel Prize winner Esther Duflo, strategist David Frum, and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Research is then edited and subjected to a final objectivity and quality review by an independent academic area director.

In September 2011, the school began offering its graduate degree program, the Master of Public Policy (MPP).

A joint Juris Doctor, Master of Public Policy program is also offered in partnership with the University of Calgary Faculty of Law.

The program provides an education focused on balancing energy and environmental issues through policy and practice at a time of global transition.