Research That Matters - A Global Deep Dive

In this episode, we explore Research Summaries: Health, a curated collection of research highlighting how health outcomes are shaped by access, systems, and community-based support. The conversation spans mental health, preventative care, health equity, trauma-informed approaches, and the social determinants of health, with a particular focus on the role nonprofits play in addressing gaps left by traditional healthcare systems.

Rather than centering only on clinical solutions, this episode examines how community trust, culturally responsive programs, and holistic approaches—such as arts, nature, and social connection—contribute to improved health and well-being. Designed for nonprofit leaders, practitioners, funders, and policymakers, this discussion translates research into practical insights that can inform program design, partnerships, and long-term impact.

Based on Article: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/joni/vol4/iss3/2/

In this episode, we unpack Research Summaries: Access to Education from the Journal of Nonprofit Innovation, a special issue that brings together global research on how education access is shaped—and often constrained—by systems, policy, and lived experience. Drawing from studies across early childhood education, literacy ecosystems, prison education, menstrual equity, college access, digital inclusion, and graduate education, this conversation highlights where nonprofits are stepping in to fill critical gaps.

Rather than focusing on theory alone, we explore what this research means on the ground: how community-based organizations support learning in underserved communities, why culturally responsive approaches matter, and what evidence tells us about programs that actually improve access and outcomes. We also discuss the limits of policy-only solutions and why collaboration, trust, and long-term investment are essential.

This episode is designed for nonprofit leaders, practitioners, funders, and educators who want research they can use—not just read. If you care about educational equity, systems change, and practical strategies nonprofits can apply today, this conversation is for you.

Based on Article: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/joni/vol4/iss4/2/

This episode of the Research That Matters Podcast is based on research summaries from the Journal of Nonprofit Innovation January 2025 issue, Partnerships and Collaboration. Drawing from the academic summaries featured in this issue, the episode examines what makes nonprofit partnerships effective—and why clearly defined outcomes often matter more than shared values alone.

The episode highlights research showing how successful collaborations are built on clarity of purpose, aligned incentives, measurable goals, and accountability structures. While shared values can support trust and relationship-building, the research emphasizes that partnerships without clearly articulated outcomes risk misalignment, inefficiency, and limited impact.

Designed for nonprofit leaders, practitioners, and researchers, this episode translates current research into practical insights for forming, managing, and sustaining partnerships that lead to meaningful and measurable results.

Based on Article: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/joni/vol5/iss1/2/

This episode of the Research That Matters Podcast is based on article summaries from Volume 5, Issue 2 (2025) of the Journal of Nonprofit Innovation, Human Rights Violations & Social Injustices. Drawing from the research featured in this issue, the episode examines the often unseen systems, structures, and policies that contribute to persistent social injustices and human rights violations.

Through synthesized research insights, the episode explores how systemic failures—across healthcare, gender equity, food sovereignty, digital infrastructure, and human rights advocacy—create barriers that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Rather than focusing on individual outcomes alone, the episode highlights the interconnected mechanisms that sustain inequity and limit access to justice and essential services.

Designed for nonprofit practitioners, researchers, and policymakers, this episode translates research into practical understanding, helping listeners recognize systemic patterns and identify pathways for informed action, advocacy, and structural change.

Full issue can be found here: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/joni/vol5/iss2/

This episode 2 of the Research That Matters Podcast is based on the Journal of Nonprofit Innovation September 2025 article, “Research Summaries – Research for Practice.” The episode synthesizes applied research featured in the issue and highlights how scholarly work is being translated into practical insights for nonprofit leaders and practitioners.

Focusing on the growing research-for-practice movement, the episode explores how applied research, pracademic approaches, and scholarly activism are shaping decision-making, program design, and innovation across the nonprofit sector. Listeners are introduced to key themes emerging from the research summaries and how these findings can be used to inform real-world nonprofit work.

Designed for practitioners, researchers, and students alike, this episode demonstrates how research can move beyond publication to become a tool for learning, action, and impact in the nonprofit ecosystem.

This inaugural episode of the Research That Matters Podcast draws from the Journal of Nonprofit Innovation’s December 2025 full issue, Access to Water and Sanitation, and synthesizes findings from a range of recent, peer-reviewed studies focused on WaSH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene).

The episode highlights key research on global and community-level standards for safe water access, sanitation systems, and hygiene practices, with particular attention to implementation challenges, equity, and nonprofit-led solutions. By summarizing evidence across multiple studies, this episode provides listeners with a clear overview of current WaSH standards, emerging best practices, and critical gaps affecting underserved communities.

Designed for nonprofit practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and funders, this episode translates complex research into practical insights to support informed decision-making and more effective WaSH interventions.

Based on Article: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/joni/vol5/iss4/