The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) has announced the appointment of two notable civil rights figures from New Jersey as fellows for the 2024-25 academic year. Joe Krakora, who previously served as the Public Defender of New Jersey, joins as a Faculty Fellow. Amol Sinha, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union-New Jersey (ACLU-NJ), will serve as a Policy Fellow.
"Joe’s and Amol’s years of experience and expertise, backgrounds, and demonstrated commitment to New Jersey speak directly to the priorities of SPIA in New Jersey, including accountability, fairness, and transparency," stated Anastasia Mann, Founding Director of SPIA in New Jersey. "Both of these experts will offer the Princeton community on-the-ground, real-world insights on the creation and implementation of democracy-aligned research and policy."
Krakora is tasked with bridging academic theory with practical application through his role as Faculty Fellow. A Princeton alumnus from 1976, he will engage in lecturing across various courses at the university while also fostering collaboration with organizations such as the Office of the Public Defender and ACLU. His career highlights include leading bail reform efforts in New Jersey.
"As a Princeton alum with a career in public service, I am grateful for the opportunity to join the SPIA community," Krakora remarked. "I am looking forward to using my experience as New Jersey's Public Defender to contribute to the advancement of SPIA in New Jersey’s mission to turn policy theory into practice."
Sinha's appointment aligns with his extensive background in civil rights advocacy. As part of his fellowship duties, he will share his knowledge through coordinating talks and mentoring students. Under his leadership at ACLU-NJ since 2017, significant legal victories have been achieved including cannabis legalization through a racial justice perspective.
"At the ACLU of New Jersey, we’ve been guided by our mission to preserve and advance civil rights and civil liberties in the courts, in the legislature, and in our communities for more than 60 years," Sinha commented. "I am honored to be named a Policy Fellow for the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs’ SPIA in New Jersey initiative."
Sinha joins other current Policy Fellows including Adriana Abizadeh from Kensington Corridor Trust; Brandon McKoy from Fund for New Jersey; and Nedia Morsy from Make the Road New Jersey.
SPIA in New Jersey was established in spring 2023 with aims to collaborate statewide through research initiatives that align with multiracial democracy principles.
