Scholars Strategy Network

We're excited to share our 2025-26 academic year annual report! It powerfully demonstrates that SSN is a community that reminds us that policy engagement matters—and that scholars’ contributions can make a real difference. 🔗 Read about the year’s accomplishments: scholars.org/sites/schola...

theeduledger.comI Became a Mother and a Doctoral Student at the Same Time. Academia Was Not Ready.Parenting while pursuing a doctorate should not require navigating gaps in pay, health coverage, childcare and institutional support alone.

Drawing on her experience becoming a mother while earning her PhD, Yasmin Elgoharry(@uconn.bsky.social) explains what universities can do to better support parents. Read the op-ed in @theeduledger.bsky.social: www.theeduledger.com/opinion/arti...

Scholars Strategy Network reposted

Jamila Michener

@povertyscholar.bsky.social

Drawing on my ongoing qualitative research w/ Medicaid beneficiaries across the country, I talked to @scholars.org abt the politics of Medicaid. Medicaid beneficiaries understand BOTH its administrative workings & its political stakes. The more we center their knowledge in our discourse, the better.

Scholars Strategy Network@scholars.org

Why do politicians keep invoking fraud to justify Medicaid cuts? “It’s about politics,” says @povertyscholar.bsky.social (Cornell). She explains why the people most affected have little say in how Medicaid works, and what it would take to change that. 🎧 Listen: scholars.org/podcast/poli...

10h

aeon.coEarly violence is a bad teacher. But the mind can learn anew | Aeon EssaysA world of violence sustains itself through guns, poverty and other social ills, but also through the minds it creates

Violence teaches people to anticipate danger in ordinary moments, but because this way of seeing is learned, it can be unlearned, writes @mkang.bsky.social (@jhu.edu) in this @aeon.co essay. Her team interviewed 99 men in a Chicago program that helped them do just that. 🔗 Learn more:

Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 2pm ET for a Q&A that will offer practical tips for developing & submitting effective testimony, including strategies for translating academic research into compelling messages for policymakers. ➡️ Register now: scholars.my.salesforce-sites.com/event/home/s...

Hear from SSN members Charles Wilkes, @robglover.bsky.social, and Maggie Ornstein, who have provided legislative testimony on a range of issues. They will share how they identified opportunities to testify, communicated their research, and built relationships with lawmakers.

🗳️ Election Day is just weeks away. For reporters covering voting, state politics, and some of the top issues of this election in these key states, the following experts are available. ⤵️ 🔗 Connect: scholars.org/features/17-...

Brian Adams, Thad Kousser, @melissamichelson.bsky.social, @sarasadhwani.bsky.social, Christopher Witko, @deanarohlinger.bsky.social, @profciara.bsky.social, Henry Carey...

@solisrodolfo.bsky.social

Tammy Greer, @jennifermccoy.bsky.social, @asfried.bsky.social, @robglover.bsky.social, @carrielevan.bsky.social, David Dulio, @nazita.bsky.social, @leehannahwsu.bsky.social, and @dlemi.bsky.social

Scholars Strategy Network reposted

Rodolfo Solís

Does voting Republican mean feeling less Latino? Many Latino Republicans I interviewed valued their ethnoracial background without treating it as a voting obligation. Thanks @scholars.org for editing and pitching: latinonewsnetwork.com/democracy/la...

latinonewsnetwork.comLatino Political Support Alone Doesn’t Tell Us How Strong Latino Identity Is - Latino News NetworkLatino voters may share a strong sense of heritage while arriving at very different political conclusions.

Efrén Pérez@efrenpolipsy.bsky.social

From Rodolfo Soliís, recently minted PhD, former student of mine, and ongoing collaborator 🇲🇽💯 latinonewsnetwork.com/democracy/la... @solisrodolfo.bsky.social @repslab.bsky.social

What should happen to empty juvenile detention facilities? SSN member Daniel Macallair and colleagues took that question to Capitol Hill. Their talks have contributed to the development of a bill to repurpose them for community uses. 🔗 Learn more: scholars.org/features/mem...

Scholars Strategy Network reposted

hechingerreport.orgOPINION: No college president, provost or board should retreat from diversity initiatives without considering what the law actually requiresIf we surrender to threats, we will all learn less about ourselves, our history, our health and our people

In this @hechingerreport.org op-ed, Laura Hamilton (@ucmerced.bsky.social) and Veronica Lerma (@ucdavis.bsky.social) argue that universities shouldn’t cut diversity programs under federal pressure without first asking what the law actually requires. Learn more. ⤵️

🚗 Self-driving cars are on streets in cities throughout the U.S. In this brief, Liana Pennington (Saint Anselm College) explains why lawmakers must set guardrails on police access to self-driving car data before these vehicles become a mobile surveillance network. ➡️ scholars.org/contribution...

time.comPaternity Leave Is More Than a Perk. It Builds a Baby’s BrainPaternity leave and a father’s engagement during infancy is associated with better cognitive, social, and emotional regulation outcomes for the child, writes Alvin Thomas.

Paternity leave is more than just a perk, argues @drat758.bsky.social of @uwmadison.bsky.social in this @time.com op-ed. Thomas shares how a father’s engagement in infancy is linked to better outcomes for kids and urges changes from both lawmakers and employers. time.com/article/2026...

theconversation.comWhy the assault weapons debate is a culture debateThe Supreme Court’s decision to hear two assault weapons cases caps a multi-decade dispute over restricting assault weapons that extends far beyond legal arguments.

In this @theconversation.com op-ed, @spitzerb.bsky.social (@sunycortland.bsky.social) explains why the upcoming SCOTUS hearing on assault weapons will “bring to a head the multi-decade dispute over restricting assault weapons that extends far beyond legal arguments.” Learn more. ⤵️

moderatelymoco.comOpinion: The County Council's $2,500 MCPS Tax CreditNora Gordon argues Bill 48-26's $2,500 property tax credit for MCPS employees is a bonus for fewer than one in five, not housing affordability.

In MoCo, Maryland, a proposed bill would give some public school teachers $2.5k/year in property tax credits. In this @moderatelymoco.bsky.social op-ed, @noraegordon.bsky.social argues it won’t make homes meaningfully more affordable or improve schools. Learn more. ⤵️

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!

2025-26 Established Chapter Award: South Carolina SSN, led by @kenkolb.bsky.social (@water-institute.bsky.social) @jasondebacker.bsky.social, and @orgulozturk.bsky.social (@sc.edu)

2025-26 Emerging Chapter Award: Southwest Borderlands SSN, led by Amy Bach and Anne-Marie Núñez (The University of Texas at El Paso)

2025-26 Chapter Leader Award: @elizabethrigby.bsky.social (GWU), Maryland-DC SSN

thehill.comBreaking the tyranny of extremistsPolitical scientist Lawrence R. Jacobs argues that urgent reforms to the presidential nomination process are required to prevent the rise of populism and protect the rule of law.

Presidential nominations were once controlled by party leaders, who were able to keep dangerous contenders off the ballot. Larry Jacobs (University of Minnesota) argues that check has broken down, and Trump is the result. He offers a key fix. In @thehill.com: thehill.com/opinion/camp...

Is it Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day—and what does that choice say about whose history America celebrates? In our latest podcast episode, @kerrijmalloy.bsky.social explains why the debate goes beyond a name on the calendar. 🎧 Listen to the full ep: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y_Z...

We are thrilled to welcome @joshuagrubbsphd.com (@unm.edu) to the network! Grubbs' research focuses on gambling disorder, sports betting, alcohol and substance use, and compulsive sexual behavior. Learn more from Grubbs' SSN member profile: scholars.org/scholar/josh...

🤝 How can climate advocates build coalitions with labor? In this brief, Geoffrey Henderson (@umich.edu) shares lessons on coalition building from interviewing labor & climate advocates. Key takeaway: coalitions need well-designed policies and inclusive processes. 🔗 scholars.org/contribution...

🗳️ With early voting underway and Election Day just weeks away, the mechanics of the 2026 midterms are becoming a story in their own right. For reporters covering the midterms, the following experts are available to provide commentary and analysis. 👇 🔗 Connect: scholars.org/features/9-e...

scholars.orgDavid Schultz | Scholars Strategy NetworkSchultz is the author of more than 45 books and 200+ articles on various aspects of American politics, election law, and the media and politics. He has a B.A. and M.A. in political science and philoso...

@profdschultz.bsky.social (Hamline University) has taught election law for nearly 30 years and is a licensed attorney admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court bar. 🗳️ Specialty: Supreme Court issues and election law and litigation Connect: scholars.org/scholar/davi...

scholars.orgCiara Torres-Spelliscy | Scholars Strategy NetworkTorres-Spelliscy’s work focuses primarily on the issue of money in politics, but also works on strengthening election laws more generally, as well as improving corporate governance. She is a Brennan C...

@profciara.bsky.social (Stetson University) is an election and campaign-finance law scholar who has testified before Congress and helped draft Supreme Court briefs. 🗳️ Specialty: Election and constitutional law, campaign finance, and political spending Connect: scholars.org/scholar/ciar...

scholars.orgJennifer McCoy | Scholars Strategy NetworkMcCoy specializes in democratic erosion and political polarization, crisis prevention and conflict resolution, and electoral processes, including electronic voting and international election monitorin...

@jennifermccoy.bsky.social (Georgia State) studies democratic erosion, political polarization, electoral processes, and election monitoring. 🗳️ Specialty: Political polarization, democratic backsliding and recovery, election systems and monitoring Connect: scholars.org/scholar/jenn...

scholars.orgThessalia Merivaki | Scholars Strategy NetworkRobinson’s research and teaching focus on the management of public service organizations as they cope with various forms of disasters or extreme events. He teaches classes on grant writing and project...

@liamerivaki.bsky.social (Washington State) studies how people receive & evaluate info about elections, how election officials communicate with the public, and more. 🗳️ Specialty: Public communication by election officials & perceptions of election integrity Connect: scholars.org/scholar/thes...

scholars.orgPaul Gronke | Scholars Strategy NetworkGronke has worked to ensure voting access, voting rights, and safe, secure, and accessible elections. He's partnered with local, state, and federal governments; non-profits and foundations; and voting...

@pgronke.bsky.social (Reed College) studies American elections, with a particular focus on early and convenience voting, election administration, and voter behavior. 🗳️ Specialty: Early and mail-in voting Connect: scholars.org/scholar/paul...

scholars.orgThad Kousser | Scholars Strategy NetworkKousser's research on American state and national politics focuses on electoral reforms, voting rights, trust in elections, direct democracy, and how politicians use social media. Kousser helps to sup...

Thad Kousser (UC San Diego) studies state and national politics, voting reforms, direct democracy, and the relationship between political institutions and public trust. 🗳️ Specialty: Trust in elections, voting reforms, and state politics Connect: scholars.org/scholar/thad...

scholars.orgHenry Carey | Scholars Strategy NetworkCarey’s research and teaching focuses on electoral administration; human rights; and democratization. He is a member of the board of the Georgia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and a lon...

Henry F. Carey (Georgia State) is an election law and voting rights scholar whose research examines the legal rules governing elections and access to the ballot. 🗳️ Specialty: Election law, voting rights, and access to the ballot Connect: scholars.org/scholar/henr...

scholars.orgJoshua Douglas | Scholars Strategy NetworkDouglas teaches and researches election law and voting rights, civil procedure, constitutional law, and judicial decision making. He is the author of Vote for US: How to Take Back our Elections and Ch...

@joshuaadouglas.bsky.social (University of Kentucky) is an election law & voting rights scholar whose research examines the legal rules governing elections and access to the ballot. 🗳️ Specialty: Election law, voting rights, and access to the ballot Connect: scholars.org/scholar/josh...

scholars.orgBarry Burden | Scholars Strategy NetworkBurden's research and teaching focus on U.S. elections, political parties, public opinion, representation, and the U.S. Congress. He is the co-author with Marjorie Randon Hershey of Party Politics in ...

@bcburden.bsky.social (UW Madison) studies U.S. elections, election administration, voting behavior, public opinion, representation, and Congress. 🗳️ Specialty: Congressional elections, campaigns, and voting behavior Connect: scholars.org/scholar/barr...

Scholars Strategy Network reposted

Basak Kus

@basakkus.bsky.social

Super thrilled to be a part of this cohort! Thank you!

Scholars Strategy Network@scholars.org

📰 Meet the 2026–27 SSN Media Fellows! Over the next year, these 10 SSN members will work with mentors from across the network and SSN national staff to expand their media work across television, radio, print, op-eds, and social media. 👇 🔗 Meet them: scholars.org/media-fellow...

• Conial Caldwell Jr., @umbc.edu • @drtamanikaferguson.bsky.social, @wellesley.edu • Ain Grooms, @uwmadison.bsky.social • Arianna Injeian, The University of Alabama • @basakkus.bsky.social, Wesleyan University

• Yifan Xu Miller, @nu-ctm.bsky.social • Ezinne D. Ofoegbu, Santa Clara University • Gwen Ottinger, Drexel University • Da'Shay Templeton, California Lutheran University • Hannah Thompson, @npi.ucanr.edu

19thnews.orgViolence against women and trans people is worse than previously thought, new research findsNearly two-thirds of women have experienced abuse from a spouse or romantic partner. The numbers are even higher for trans people.

New research from @anitaraj.bsky.social of @newcombinstitute.bsky.social shows that ~two-thirds of women have experienced abuse from a partner, with the numbers increasing for trans people. Raj says the solution lies in building community responses. In @19thnews.org:

theconversation.comPortugal decriminalized drugs 25 years ago, but the real lesson is what it built around this policyPortugal’s remarkable public health strides after changing its approach to drugs may not be replicable in other countries absent broader systemic reforms.

This year marks 25 years since Portugal decriminalized the possession of all drugs for personal use. @robglover.bsky.social & Karyn Sporer explain the real lesson behind the law's success: it's not decriminalization itself, but the broader system Portugal built around it. In @theconversation.com:

insidehighered.comSupporting Civic Engagement Is About Faculty Too (opinion)To fulfill Its democratic mission, higher ed must better support faculty civic engagement too.

In this insidehighered.com piece, Elizabeth Niehaus of @ucfreespeech.bsky.social argues that institutions must recognize faculty civic engagement as part of their democratic mission, and support it the same way they support teaching and research. Learn more. ⤵️ www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...

@colinwoodard.bsky.social

We are thrilled to welcome @francescachiaradia.bsky.social of @jbs.cam.ac.uk to the network! Chiaradia’s research combines quasi-experimental methods with natural language processing to examine how innovation can be made more equitable and sustainable. Learn more: scholars.org/scholar/fran...

Scholars Strategy Network reposted

Colin Woodard

I'm joining @jennifermccoy.bsky.social tomorrow for an @scholars.org online conversation about how US democracy became imperiled and one important thing we can do about it. Join the free webinar, which kicks off at 4:30 Eastern. Register: scholars.my.salesforce-sites.com/event/home/d...

@mevanspolisci.bsky.social

📢 We're hiring a Communications Associate for our new Ideas for America initiative! This person will assist researchers involved in the project with their media efforts. ℹ️ This is a remote position paying $58k-$66k + benefits. 🔗 Apply: scholarsstrategynetwork.applytojob.com/apply/lRFhG1...

Scholars Strategy Network reposted

Michael Evans

I hope you'll join us on Tuesday, October 6 (4:30 PM ET online) for the next conversation in the Scholars Strategy Network's Defending U.S. Democracy series, featuring Colin Woodard and Jennifer McCoy. See flyer for details. Register: scholars.my.salesforce-sites.com/event/home/d...

Scholars Strategy Network reposted

Phil Rocco

@philiprocco.bsky.social

ICYMI: my @newrepublic.com column on how states, cities and NGOs can build on their work in the last cycle to save the 2030 Census.

Scholars Strategy Network@scholars.org

The Trump administration has proposed excluding noncitizens from the 2030 census count. In this @newrepublic.com op-ed, @philiprocco.bsky.social warns that the change would reshape representation and funding, and argues that states and localities must defend the count.

newrepublic.comThe Fight to Save the Census From Trump Starts NowThe administration’s proposed changes to the 2030 census will harm states and cities. Here is how they can fight back.