Scholars Strategy Network
@scholars.org
Connecting you with America’s top scholars to improve policy and strengthen democracy. Scholars' views are their own. Learn more at https://scholars.org/.
🤝 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...
Super thrilled to be a part of this cohort! Thank you!
Scholars Strategy Network@scholars.org · 4d ago📰 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...
📰 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...
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:
Violence against women and trans people is worse than previously thought, new research finds
Nearly two-thirds of women have experienced abuse from a spouse or romantic partner. The numbers are even higher for trans people.
19thnews.org
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:
Portugal decriminalized drugs 25 years ago, but the real lesson is what it built around this policy
Portugal’s remarkable public health strides after changing its approach to drugs may not be replicable in other countries absent broader systemic reforms.
theconversation.com
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...
Supporting Civic Engagement Is About Faculty Too (opinion)
To fulfill Its democratic mission, higher ed must better support faculty civic engagement too.
insidehighered.com
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...
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...
📢 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...
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...
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 · 2w agoThe 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.
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.
The Fight to Save the Census From Trump Starts Now
The administration’s proposed changes to the 2030 census will harm states and cities. Here is how they can fight back.
newrepublic.com
In our latest No Jargon podcast episode, Claire Dunning 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: scholars.org/podcast/mone...
"Rather than avoiding the issue, we need to engage in dialogue that recognizes competing values of fairness and inclusion and seeks compromise and common ground," writes Abigail Saguy in this @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social op-ed on the polarized debate over transgender athletes and women's sports. ⤵️
Navigating the polarized debate on trans athletes in women’s sports: Finding common ground.
Two former NBA players have said they want to play in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White announced their intent to enter the WNBA draft, claiming—f...
thefulcrum.us
New at @scholars.org: How to Design Small Donor Reform That Works. Based on research with @raylaraja.bsky.social. Small donor reform ideas are all around -- but they need to be designed responsibly to avoid making representational problems worse! scholars.org/contribution...
How to Design Small Donor Reform that Works
Americans are intensely concerned about the role of money in politics. The dominance of “big money” from wealthy donors and skyrocketing outside spending raises fears that political representation is ...
scholars.org
📢 As the Protect College Sports Act gains steam in the Senate, the following experts are available to reporters to provide commentary and analysis on the bill and its potential impacts. ⤵️ 🔗 Connect: scholars.org/features/exp...
In this @insidehighered.com op-ed, Elizabeth Niehaus (@ucfreespeech.bsky.social) argues that colleges should go beyond supporting student civic engagement to also include faculty. She provides clear guidance on how higher ed leaders can do so. Read:
Supporting Civic Engagement Is About Faculty Too (opinion)
To fulfill Its democratic mission, higher ed must better support faculty civic engagement too.
insidehighered.com
📚️ 🍎 In this @baltimoresun.bsky.social op-ed, Paul Koh (@towsonu.bsky.social) suggests initiatives that school leaders should implement to improve early-career teacher retention and support their social-emotional well-being. Read: www.baltimoresun.com/2026/09/19/t...
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-baltimore-sun/home/
linkedin.com
We are excited to welcome @alycolumbus.bsky.social of @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social to the network! Overarching themes in Columbus's writings include reproducibility, transparency, and translating evidence into policy. ➡️ Learn more from Columbus' SSN member profile: scholars.org/scholar/alys...
“Evidence-based tools exist & many are already available for free through university systems. The problem is that students do not know about them." In this policy brief, Abraham Tetteh Teye urges universities to make these tools more accessible. 🔗 scholars.org/contribution...
We are thrilled to welcome @geoffhenderson.bsky.social of @umich.edu to the network! Henderson's research focuses on how organized groups shape climate policy debates by mobilizing participation, influencing voting behavior, and building coalitions. 🔗 scholars.org/scholar/geof...
🗳️ In this policy brief, @nmicatka.bsky.social (University of South Alabama) draws on his research to explain why Americans who grew up on means-tested benefits are less likely to vote in their first & future elections, and what policymakers can do to close that gap. 🔗 scholars.org/contribution...
🗣️ Calling 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. 💬 🗓️ September 23rd 🕑️ 2-3pm ET 🔗 Register today: scholars.my.salesforce-sites.com/event/home/s...
"Today, Black men in the military are once again experiencing a unique, racist danger. This time around, it's the denial of advancement and promotion despite having served the U.S. military honorably, some for more than two decades," writes @watsoneddie.bsky.social in this @thehill.com op-ed. ⤵️
Merit-based and colorblind: The Pentagon’s cover story for purging Black officers
A veteran and academic argues that recent military leadership decisions under the Trump administration are dismantling racial equality in the armed forces by dismissing the merits of promoted Black…
thehill.com
📄 New policy brief: CPCs far outnumber abortion facilities nationwide. Danielle Lambert & Andrea Swartzendruber (@universityofga.bsky.social) explain why federal + state legislatures should regulate and defund CPCs to ensure equitable access to abortion care. 🔗 Read: scholars.org/contribution...
In this @convergencemag.com piece, @chandrarusso.bsky.social and Shawna McCown argue that data center resistance could build a lasting multiracial movement, but only if organizers name the political uses of racism that keep working people divided. 🔗 Read: convergencemag.com/articles/is-...
Is Data Center Resistance a New Vehicle for Multiracial Democracy?
Anti-data center sentiment, from Kentucky to Michigan, is proving to be an effective way to overcome racial divisions and carve out new winning coalitions.
convergencemag.com
In this @hartfordcourant.bsky.social op-ed, Eliza Kinsey (@pennmedicine.bsky.social), @roxannedupuis.bsky.social, and @artcap.bsky.social (NYU) argue that restoring SNAP is a moral priority and should be a topline issue in the upcoming midterms. 🔗 Read the piece: www.courant.com/2026/08/30/o...
Opinion: Americans must demand SNAP benefits be restored. Nearly 63K CT residents lost them.
Even fairly wealthy states like Connecticut are straining to cover these added costs for food benefits.
courant.com
📢 The Department of Education recently released proposed changes to the higher education accreditation system. And scholars have a chance to weigh in. Scholars can submit public comments by Sept. 21. Want to? Reach out to Sr. Policy Associate Maxcy Grasso at maxcy@scholars.org for help.
Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization: The Secretary's Recognition of Accrediting Agencies: Institutional Eligibility Under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as Amended, Student Assistance Gene...
The Department proposes to revise the existing accrediting agency recognition regulations at 34 CFR part 602 to implement the directives set forth in Executive Order 14279, Reforming Accreditation to ...
federalregister.gov