The Scholars Strategy Network leads the Education Scholars Training Program, with the support of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative™ and the Bezos Family Foundation. The annual cohort program fosters impactful relationships between education scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. The mission of the program is to expand the capacity of scholars to bridge the gap between their research and education policy and practice in the United States.
This year's ESTP cohort brings together 16 scholars committed to bridging research and policy to advance education equity.
The Education Scholars Training Program made its debut in 2024, welcoming a cohort of education scholars who identify as members of one or more minoritized groups in the academy. Cohort members are nominated for their academic excellence and the potential societal impact of their research. This year-long program includes a combination of in-person and virtual events, all designed to bolster the policy and academic networks of each participant and foster a community of education scholars doing policy-engaged work.
We kick-off with the Education Research Accelerator, a 2-day in-person convening. Subsequent virtual policy and media engagement trainings and community-building events are spread throughout the year, capped by a celebratory in-person graduation ceremony.
Alongside these events, we facilitate collaborative meetings with policy actors who align with each scholar’s specific research interests. This allows each member to have input on public policy decisions. We also offer scholars individualized assistance to create dissemination materials and engagement roadmaps, providing the tools needed to engage effectively with policymakers, civic intermediaries, and other policy actors.
At the end of the cohort year, members become part of the alumni network and remain eligible for ongoing policy and media engagement support.
Our program builds on the successful model of the Student Experience Research Network's Midcareer Fellows Program. Taken together, the programs aim to elevate the voices that are too often left out of important policy conversations.
Last year, 15 ESTP scholars strengthened their policy engagement skills through monthly trainings and hands-on opportunities to apply their research in real-world policy settings.
The inaugural ESTP welcomed 16 scholars from across the country. Throughout the year, they engaged in expert-led trainings, developed actionable strategies to inform education policy, built relationships with policy actors, and participated in and end-of-cohort convening.
To learn more about the program or to get involved, please contact SSN Senior Policy Associate Maxcy Grasso at [email protected] or Director of Policy Andrew Pope at [email protected].
