Scholars Strategy Network

🗣️ 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

📢 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. 🔗

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

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

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

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. 👇