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Scholars Strategy Network

Research to improve policy and strengthen democracy.

09/01/2026

Good news: We've extended the deadline for Ideas for America submissions to September 10th!

Ideas for America is our new initiative that will elevate research-based proposals in key policy and public debates over the next two years that have the potential to improve the lives of everyday Americans. SSN Members whose submissions are selected to move forward will receive a $2,500 honorarium to develop that idea into a full policy proposal.

If you have an idea based on your research and expertise that could improve the lives of Americans, we’d love to hear it, whether it’s fully formed or still taking shape.

➡️ Submit your idea at https://scholars.org/ideas

08/26/2026

🎒 In the U.S., more than 1,000 schools closed in 2025–26.

In our latest No Jargon episode, education researcher Mara Tieken (Bates College) explains what’s driving closures, why they don’t always save money, and how they can reshape communities—especially rural and Black communities.

🎧 Listen to the episode: https://scholars.org/podcast/when-schools-close

08/19/2026

Scholars: Given your research and expertise, what is an idea you have that would improve the lives of Americans? 🇺🇸

Bring it to Ideas for America, our new initiative that will elevate research-based proposals in key policy and public debates over the next two years that have the potential to improve the lives of everyday Americans.

↳ Submit yours by September 1st: https://scholars.org/ideas

08/12/2026

We’re still energized from the SSN National Convening this past June in Washington D.C.! 🎉 SSN's 2026 National Convening brought more than 150 people together to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and build the powerful connections that make sustained policy engagement possible.

Most of all, the convening was about helping researchers make connections and building scholars' power to inform policy. Thank you to all who joined us and for your participation and dedication to SSN’s mission.

Check out the highlights in the deck below. 👇

08/11/2026

As the U.S. birth rate continues to decline, some politicians are calling for policies that encourage Americans to have more children, otherwise known as pronatalism—even as abortion access, contraception, and maternal health care face growing challenges.

In our latest No Jargon podcast episode, Carolette Norwood (Howard University) explains what pronatalism is, why debates over population growth are often intertwined with race and immigration, and how these conversations intersect with reproductive justice and policy.

🔗 Listen to the full episode via the link in the comments.

08/05/2026

As education researcher Mara Tieken (Bates College) has found, school closures are never just a budget decision. They are a major loss for students and entire communities—and often one that doesn’t even save money.

But as Tieken shares in the video below, research alone doesn't change policy.

As an SSN Media Fellow, Tieken has spent the past year turning these findings into action, using media and direct conversations with decisionmakers to inform a national debate impacting communities across the country. That work has entailed publishing op-eds in Washington Monthly and The Hechinger Report, a letter to the editor in The New York Times, and speaking with national education reporters, local TV, and podcasts. She has also brought her research straight to decisionmakers, from the offices of a U.S. Senator to the Maine State Board of Education.

Read our latest member spotlight to learn how Tieken is changing the conversation on school closures: https://scholars.org/features/member-spotlight-mara-tieken

08/03/2026

SSN members: Applications are now open for the SSN Media Fellowship! 🗞️

Now in its fourth year, the Scholars Strategy Network's Media Fellowship is an opportunity for SSN members who are new to media engagement to learn how to share their research with the world.

Selected fellows receive one-on-one mentorship from experienced public scholars, media workshops led by SSN national staff, and hands-on support with op-ed editing, media pitching, and finding media contacts.

🔗 Learn more and apply by September 21: https://forms.gle/nVfohZ2jVGRYXnrd9

07/31/2026

🔎 We're Policy Associates!

SSN is hiring up to three Policy Associates for our new Ideas for America initiative, which 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. Each Associate will likely focus on a different part of the project: campaign engagement, federal policy, or state policy.

Policy Associate's will broker relationships between researchers and policymakers, help scholars develop innovative policy proposals based on their research, and coach scholars on how to engage in the policymaking process.

These -first roles pay $58-66k plus benefits and fall within the SSN employee union.

🔗 Learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/gh8fX6RV

07/30/2026

Two years from now, the presidential election promises to reshape the trajectory of American life. Policy ideas rooted in sound research are needed now more than ever.

At the Scholars Strategy Network, our members are distinguished both by their research and their willingness to contribute their expertise to the public good. That's why we're launching a new initiative called Ideas for America.

Ideas for America will elevate research-based proposals in key policy and public debates over the next two years that have the potential to improve the lives of everyday Americans.

We're looking for idea submissions from SSN members. This is an opportunity to bring a promising idea from your research into consequential policy conversations.

All members whose submissions are selected to move forward will receive a $2,500 honorarium to develop that idea into a full policy proposal. Even if your idea isn't fully fleshed out yet, we encourage you to submit it.

→ Please submit your ideas by September 1st: scholars.org/ideas

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