1-126 - Strategies for Bridging Research and Social Policy through Student Engagement

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Integrative Statement

Moderator: Matt Stagner, Senior Fellow, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Academic institutions have a responsibility not only to advance our knowledge and theory, but also to prepare the next generation of thinkers and leaders to meet the demands and shape the thinking of child and family policymakers in an increasingly evidenced-based world. To this end, students are well-served when they are presented with opportunities that meaningfully involve them in real-world policy making and research.

The purpose of this roundtable is to generate discussion on this important topic and to present examples of efforts by universities and practitioners to engage students in relevant child and family policy research.

Roundtable discussants include two university-based researchers who direct research partnerships; a policy researcher with experience in the public sector, academia, and research organizations; a chief of staff to a state senator who strongly encourages these partnerships and uses the research produced; and a student who engaged in the research. In addition to highlighting models of research partnerships that involve students at multiple levels, we will spend ample time in discussion with the audience and each other on how these different models work, how to initiate and sustain them, and on what is “in it” for the students, faculty, practitioners, and policy makers.

Sub Unit

• Methods, History, Theory

Moderator

• Matthew Stagner, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Panelists

• Jenni Owen, Duke University

• Cynthia A Osborne, University of Texas at Austin

• Andrew Crompton, Pennsylvania senate

• Abby Lane, University of Texas at Austin