Established in 2003, the School of Public Affairs at Xiamen University currently has 67 full-time faculty members, including 23 professors, 25 associate professors, and 19 assistant professors. The majority have international academic or research experience, contributing to a globally engaged and research-intensive faculty community.

The School comprises four academic units: the Department of Political Science, the Department of Public Administration, the MPA Education Center, and the Institute of Psychology. It is authorized to offer doctoral and master's programs, as well as postdoctoral research stations, in two national first-tier disciplines—Political Science and Public Administration. Additionally, it offers PhD programs in specialized subfields, including Public Policy and Cognition and Public Service, along with a professional Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program.

The School hosts multiple high-level research platforms, including the New Zealand Research Center—an institution officially registered with China's Ministry of Education—and several provincial-level research centers. These platforms position the School at the nexus of academic inquiry and real-world governance, enabling it to respond directly to national and local policy priorities. Over the past decade, the School has undertaken more than 200 policy-oriented research projects commissioned by central government ministries and local authorities across Fujian Province and beyond. The School has delivered over 200 high-quality research and policy advisory reports, many of which have received formal endorsements from leaders at the national and provincial/ministerial levels—affirming its standing as a leading think tank in public affairs.

Leveraging Xiamen University's strengths in interdisciplinary integration, the School anchors its work in China's public administration practices and is dedicated to advancing the professional competencies of public officials. It has systematically developed a forward-looking, pioneering, and nationally recognized training system for public sector leadership.

Looking ahead, the School is committed to becoming a globally influential institution in public affairs, harnessing Chinese wisdom to advance both national governance and global public service.

The School of Public Policy was established in Novermber 2011. As a dynamic hub for interdisciplinary research, consulting, and education, the school operates under the umbrella of the School of Public Affairs yet maintains its autonomy. The School of Public Policy has a research team of over 30 full-time and part-time researchers, including 17 full-time members. The school is led by the Dean Professor Chen Zhenming, a NationalHigh-level Talent by Ministry of E ducation.

The School of Public Policy is dedicated to achieving excellence as a high-level research institute and a distinctive new think tank. It delves into the fundamental theoretical foundations, cutting-edge academic advancements, and critical practical challenges within the realm of public policy and governance. Prioritizing research in areas where both national and local needs intersect with the school's strengths, such as public policy, public service, talent development strategy, local governance, ecological governance, and social construction, the school has developed a pioneering academic platform for public policy research. It provides research, consulting, and training services to government, businesses, and social organizations. The school has created a public policy laboratory, a comprehensive public policy database and a rich collection of case studies. It aims to nurture elite professionals in public policy and governance, and address strategic and policy needs at both national and local levels. Through these efforts, the school contributes to the Chinese modernization and modernization of China's system and capacity for governance.