SSN Chapter Spotlights

 “Effective policy requires both perspectives... And now, because of this conference, Connecticut’s policymakers have formed new relationships with researchers from across the state.” - Kerri Raissian, Connecticut SSN chapter co-leader, and Jaime Foster, Connecticut State Representative 

“With this fellowship you have something that you can put on your CV, you get a stipend, and you can meet people in different disciplines, but in the same state, to work together for a common goal.” - Karyn Sporer, Maine SSN chapter co-leader

“There’s almost a barrier to entry of just knowing what’s going on. There are a lot of people who I think would like to be involved in that type of policy, if we could just make it easier for them to enter, so that really motivated me [to help co-found the chapter].” - Nora Gordon, Maryland-Washington D.C. SSN chapter co-leader

"We were able to come up with a good quality list of ideas, and from there we drew interest from scholars to set up partnerships [with the nonprofits]" - Peggy Bigga, Alabama SSN chapter co-leader 

“There's been a big push at the state level and local level, to figure out what to do about homelessness and be really effective at it." - Daniel Shattuck, New Mexico SSN chapter leader

"The research that Dr. Glover, Dr. LaBouff and Dr. LeVan are conducting is giving us more information about the motivations that bring poll workers to serve in this capacity and what is effective in reaching them for recruitment." - Maine Secretary of State Bellows 

“We had an idea of some of the bills that were going to come up. We wanted to figure out how to get people prepared to engage in a way that might be meaningful during the 45 days of the session.” – Jessica Sanders, Utah SSN chapter co-leader 

“I was thrilled to meet with SSN scholars because timely, insightful commentary from academics is a critical part of our state’s ongoing dialogue about important issues.” - Ryan Sanders, Commentary Editor, Dallas Morning News

“As advocates, we decided that working directly with academics...was an obvious and necessary step to enacting crucial climate policies." - Mikey Knab, Director of Policy, Climate Action Campaign

“Election rules keep changing. So there's always new things to try and explain to people.” - David Kimball, Confluence SSN chapter co-leader

“The purpose is really to improve trust through education by offering a variety of events to clarify and understand what happened in 2020, but also to understand where people are today.” – Bobbi Gentry, Virginia SSN chapter co-leader

“Through our 2022 partnership with SSN's Dr. Peter Jones, Alabama Appleseed was for the first time able to tell lawmakers just how expensive it is to suspend drivers' licenses…It means a lot to be able to fight 'tough-on-crime' rhetoric with facts." - Leah Nelson, Research Director, Alabama Appleseed

"We...value so highly commentary rooted in hard data, objective research and documented facts. That made partnering with SSN scholars from the state's universities a no brainer.” – Paul Stern, CT Mirror Viewpoints Editor

“SSN scholars can bring real stories from real Mainers and real Maine families…The things we are trying to decide—when we can talk about it in terms of our own Mainers, our own neighbors, our own community members, it’s just really invaluable.” - Charlotte Warren, Maine House Representative

“Our focus is on policy research and network-building across the South, so we were excited to support these five scholars as they examine the opportunity for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission as it starts operations in the coming months.” - Sarah Beth Gehl, Executive Director, Southern Economic Advancement Project

"As a state legislator and a doctoral student at UCF, I know there are disconnects between research and policy making; it's great to have the opportunity to show researchers how their work can support our efforts in Tallahassee to craft and pass policy that supports everyone." - Anna Eskamani, Florida House Representative

“While there’s a lot published about how to formally advocate at a state or federal level, it’s not always as clear how to do that at a local level.” – Sarah Verbiest, North Carolina SSN Chapter Leader

“The Policy Shark Tank was an amazing experience for our staff, exposing them to bold, leading edge policy ideas.” - Kari Osmond, Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman

“There was more discussion about reproductive health than ever before. Proactive policies took up a lot of space rather than just restrictive policies, and that in and of itself can be an important message.” – Jessica Sanders, Utah SSN Chapter Leader

“Our office finds the Scholars Strategy Network to be a valuable resource and we are really looking forward to strengthening our connection with the group.” – Will Zolecki, Chief of Staff to Wisconsin State Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde

“I can always count on SSN to expose me to research and policy proposals that can improve the lives of middle- and working-class Chicagoans,” - Matt Martin, Chicago 47th Ward Alderman