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Scholars Strategy Network Research to improve policy and strengthen democracy.

We're excited to share our annual report for the academic year 2025-2026! The report powerfully demonstrates that SSN is...
10/15/2026

We're excited to share our annual report for the academic year 2025-2026! The report powerfully demonstrates that SSN is:

󠁯•󠁏󠁏 a network of colleagues to learn from
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 a place with collaborators to call on
󠁯•󠁏󠁏 a community that reminds us that policy engagement matters—and that scholars’ contributions can make a real difference

Read about the year’s accomplishments, and please share the report widely so others can see how research can improve policy and strengthen democracy.

🔗https://scholars.org/sites/scholars/files/SSN's%202025-26%20Annual%20Report.pdf

As chapter activity ramps up for a new academic year, we’re looking back to celebrate the chapters and leaders who built...
10/14/2026

As chapter activity ramps up for a new academic year, we’re looking back to celebrate the chapters and leaders who built energizing spaces for scholars to connect their research with policymakers, journalists, and civic leaders.

🏆 Congratulations to our 2025–26 chapter award winners! ⬇️

Chapter Leader Award: Elizabeth Rigby (The George Washington University), Maryland-DC SSN

Established Chapter Award: South Carolina SSN, led by Jason DeBacker (University of South Carolina), Ken Kolb (The Water Institute), and Orgul Ozturk (University of South Carolina)

Emerging Chapter Award: Southwest Borderlands SSN, led by Amy Bach and Anne-Marie Núñez (UTEP - The University of Texas at El Paso)

Their work shows what a nationwide network of chapters can do to build community and bring research into public life. We’re excited to see what our chapters accomplish in the year ahead!

10/13/2026

Is it Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? And what does that choice say about whose history America celebrates? The Trump administration has reaffirmed Columbus Day, praising Christopher Columbus as an American hero while declining to issue a separate proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

In our latest podcast episode, Kerri J. Malloy (San Jose State University) explains why the debate goes beyond a name on the calendar and how it fits into ongoing efforts to change the way U.S. history is portrayed.

🎧 Listen via the link in the comments. 👇

📰 We're excited to introduce the 2026-27 SSN Media Fellows!Over the next year, these 10 SSN members, whose research span...
10/08/2026

📰 We're excited to introduce the 2026-27 SSN Media Fellows!

Over the next year, these 10 SSN members, whose research spans disciplines from education to housing to public health, will work with mentors from across the network to expand their media work. Together, they'll build the skills and strategies necessary to effectively communicate their research findings to a diverse audience across various media platforms, including television, radio, print, op-eds, and social media. Fellows will also take part in hands-on media workshops and receive tailored support from SSN national staff as media opportunities arise.

Meet the fellows:

• Conial Caldwell Jr., UMBC
• Tamanika Ferguson, Wellesley College
• Ain Grooms, UW-Madison School of Education
• Arianna Injeian, The University of Alabama
• Basak Kus, Wesleyan University
• Yifan Xu Miller, Northeastern University
• Ezinne D. Ofoegbu, Santa Clara University
• Gwen Ottinger, Drexel University
• Da'Shay Templeton, California Lutheran University
• Hannah Thompson, UC Agriculture & Natural Resources

📢 We're hiring a Communications Associate for our new Ideas for America initiative! Ideas for America will help scholars...
10/05/2026

📢 We're hiring a Communications Associate for our new Ideas for America initiative!

Ideas for America will help scholars develop and then elevate research-based policy proposals during the upcoming presidential election cycle, as well as in federal and state policy circles.

As Ideas for America launches, we anticipate that the Communications Associate will focus on developing custom media strategies for each proposal and work directly with the researchers involved in the project on their media efforts including op-eds and interviews in order to bring attention to their policy ideas and the project as a whole.

ℹ️ This is a remote-first position paying $58k-$66k + benefits.

🔗 Learn more and apply: https://scholarsstrategynetwork.applytojob.com/apply/lRFhG1biXI/Communications-Associate-Ideas-For-America

09/29/2026

Cuts to federal funding have made headlines for months. But what actually happens to nonprofits when that government money dries up?

In our latest No Jargon podcast episode, Claire Dunning (University of Maryland School of Public Policy) explains how federal funding helped build the modern nonprofit sector, why this money has long felt invisible, and how public and private funding have become so intertwined.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://scholars.org/podcast/money-behind-nonprofits

🗣️ Calling all university-based researchers!Next week, join us for a practical Q&A on how scholars can use public commen...
09/17/2026

🗣️ Calling all university-based researchers!

Next week, join us for a practical Q&A on how scholars can use public comments as a meaningful form of public engagement. 💬

We’ll walk through what public comment opportunities are, how to identify and respond to them, and how researchers can translate their expertise into useful contributions to the policymaking process.

SSN members Beverly Wagner, Roger Figueroa, and Carvis Durr, will share their own experiences writing and submitting public comments.

🗓️ Wednesday, September 23rd
🕑 2-3pm ET

🔗 Register for the event today: https://scholars.my.salesforce-sites.com/event/home/ssnallmemberprogramming092026

09/10/2026

📢 The Department of Education recently released proposed changes to the higher education accreditation system. And scholars have a chance to weigh in.

The proposed rule, if adopted, would require accrediting agencies to evaluate metrics like the amount of intellectual diversity on campus and academic freedom. The changes would compel institutions to change their policies to meet these new accreditation requirements, posing serious risks for institutional autonomy and faculty governance.

As a scholar, your expertise can make a difference. Public comments (short submissions to a government agency that draw on your research expertise or professional experience to evaluate the consequences of a proposed change) are important for shaping the Department of Education's consideration of the proposal.

🗓️ Comments are due Monday, September 21st.

Want to submit one? We can help. Reach out to SSN Senior Policy Associate Maxcy Grasso at [email protected] for resources on writing an effective comment, guidance on which sections to focus on, and edits on your draft.

📝 & read the proposed rule via the link in the comments. 🔗

09/10/2026

Labor Day is supposed to be about honoring workers—but what about the essential work that happens at home, often without a paycheck?

In our latest No Jargon podcast episode, Jennifer Greenfield (Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver) explains why caregiving, paid family and medical leave, and the rising cost of child care are not just private family concerns, but issues that affect workers, employers, and the broader economy.

Watch the full episode via the link in the comments. ⤵️

Introducing SSN Member Connections! 🎉 SSN members: join us for a relaxed, hour-long virtual gathering where you'll meet ...
09/04/2026

Introducing SSN Member Connections! 🎉

SSN members: join us for a relaxed, hour-long virtual gathering where you'll meet two or three fellow SSN members in a small breakout group to exchange experiences and learn from one another's perspectives. There's no preparation required and no formal agenda—we'll provide a few light prompts to get things started.

Whether you're new to public engagement or have years of experience, come meet fellow scholars from across the network.

🗓️ Friday, Sept 11, 2-3pm ET

🔗 Register: https://scholars.my.salesforce-sites.com/event/home/ssnmemberconnections20260911

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