Scholars Strategy Network

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

🔎 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

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

As more campuses face financial strain, what happens when a college can't survive on its own?

In our latest No Jargon podcast episode, Mary L Churchill (Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, Boston University) shares the story of Wheelock College's merger with Boston University, widely viewed as one of the most successful mergers in higher education.

She explains how leaders can protect a school's mission, support students and faculty through major change, and make difficult decisions before a crisis leaves them with no good options.

🎙️ Listen to the full episode via the link in the comments. ⤵️

That's a wrap on the 2026 SSN National Leadership Convening!

For two days in D.C., 150+ scholars, journalists, policymakers, and civic leaders came together to explore the role researchers can play in informing public debate and policy. Plenaries unpacked the future of American democracy, what it takes to engage federal policymakers, and how scholars can break through in today's media landscape. Meanwhile, breakout sessions explored topics ranging from academic freedom to working on local and state health policy to engaging lawmakers on affordability issues.

The convening culminated in 30+ scholars heading to Capitol Hill for meetings with federal lawmakers and their staff to discuss how their research can inform policy.

Thank you to all who joined us and made this event a success!

When Maine lawmakers introduced LD 2106, a bill that prevents ICE agents from targeting schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations without a warrant, Maine SSN mobilized.

After being contacted by State Rep. Ambureen Rana to rally researchers to submit evidence-based testimony on the topic, Maine chapter co-leaders Robert W. Glover and Jordan LaBouff (University of Maine) quickly coordinated with SSN's policy team to organize and submit testimony from scholars across the state. In just 72 hours, 20 scholars wrote, received feedback on, and submitted testimony based on their research expertise and experience as educators in the state's public universities.

In the end, the coalition that mobilized in support of the bill — including the Maine SSN chapter — was successful. LD 2106 passed in the legislature and Governor Mills signed it into law on April 23rd.

🔗 Learn more about this story in our latest Chapter Spotlight via the link in the comments. ⤵️