Tariffs are often promoted as a way to protect American workers—but do they actually work? Dr. Erica Owen takes us through the fast-moving shifts in U.S. trade policy under President Trump and the ripple effects they’re having on businesses, workers, and consumers. Who benefits, who pays the price, and what happens next? From the backlash against globalization to the forces reshaping American jobs, Dr. Owen explains what’s at stake—and how policymakers can better support workers caught in the crossfire.

For more on this topic:

Read Owen’s SSN key findings brief, Why Protectionist Trade Policies Still Won’t Deliver for U.S. Workers.

Generative AI has sparked excitement, curiosity, and a lot of unease. For schools, is it a groundbreaking tool for education, or a high-tech shortcut some might call cheating? In this episode, Professor Justin Ballenger takes us on his journey from middle school science teacher to trailblazer in STEM teacher preparation. Along the way, he breaks down what generative AI is, how schools are using it today, and the game-changing ways it could transform learning in the future.

For more on this topic:

• Check out Ballenger’s opinion piece about AI in the classroom in Higher Education Digest.

• Read SSN’s member spotlight about how his work is shaping the future of education. 

President Donald Trump has big plans for a second term in office. Among his proposals are sweeping cuts to the federal workforce, reducing federal spending on key programs, and potentially firing tens of thousands of federal workers and replacing them with political appointees. It’s a vision that promises to “drain the swamp,” but it could also drain the essential services that millions of Americans rely on.

From trimming federal programs to overhauling bureaucracy, these ideas sound bold on paper, but how feasible—or even practical—are they? And what might the real consequences be if such changes take shape? Professor Donald Moynihan shares his deep knowledge of how bureaucracies operate and separates fact from fiction to explore what Trump’s plans could mean for the future of the country.

With the holiday season upon us, many are looking forward to spending time with family—reconnecting, sharing traditions, and reflecting on what really matters. Dr. Alvin Thomas shares insights into what it means to be a dad today—especially for Black fathers who are navigating cultural, economic, and social challenges. He explains why involved fathers are so vital for children, how traditional views of masculinity are being redefined, and what cultural and policy changes are needed to better support fathers in showing up for their families.

For more on this topic:

• Listen to Thomas’s award-winning podcast at The Black Fathers' Pulse.

• Read his SSN key findings brief: Fatherhood: Supporting Healthy, Resilient, and Thriving Family Ecosystems

• Read his op-ed co-written with Tova Walsh about fathers and their needs in The Hill.

The re-election of President Donald J. Trump is certain to be scrutinized for years to come, but for many voters, the immediate aftermath brings emotions that are complex and deeply felt. In a candid conversation, Dr. Christina Greer, a political science professor at Fordham University, shares her reflections on the 2024 presidential election as an expert on American politics, Black ethnic politics, and campaigns and elections. Dr. Greer discusses the deep-seated forces—such as white supremacy and patriarchy—that cut across racial and gender lines to shape how people vote, and dives into what the next four years might hold for the U.S.

For more on this topic:

• Listen to Greer speak about political matters on the In The Thick podcast. 

• Read her new book, How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams.

With the 2024 presidential election just around the corner, Professor Paul Gronke joins us for a conversation about the U.S. voting system. He shares insights into the challenges of election security, the increasing harassment faced by officials on the front lines, and how the "Stop the Steal" movement has shaken public trust. Can the current voting system handle threats to the election? And what reforms are needed to rebuild trust in our elections? Professor Gronke dives into these complexities and discusses what’s at stake for democracy in 2024.

For more on this topic:

• Visit the Elections & Voting Information Center for nonpartisan research on election administration.

• Check out Gronke’s opinion piece about the benefits of ranked choice voting in The Oregonian.

For this special guest episode of No Jargon, we’re diving into how the Scholars Strategy Network helps scholars turn research into impactful policy. SSN executive director Pao Maynard-Moll spoke with Robert Perkinson, an associate professor of American Studies at the University of Hawaii Manoa and co-leader of the Hawaii SSN chapter, for his Better Tomorrow Speaker Series podcast at the university. They explore how SSN connects academics with policymakers and communities, using real examples from Alabama and Maine to show the power of research in driving change. 

For more on this topic:

• Listen to the Better Tomorrow Speaker Series podcast episodes.

• Read SSN’s Annual Report for the 2023-24 academic year.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, students and parents faced a lot of disruptions in their education experience, but student attendance has been a longstanding issue, especially in some urban areas. Factors like poverty, housing instability, and transportation issues contribute to high absenteeism rates. Professor Sarah Winchell Lenhoff discusses some of the reasons why some students miss so much school, the ways in which the pandemic has intensified these challenges, and shares some innovative strategies that are being implemented to address them.

For more on this topic:

• Read Lenhoff’s SSN memo: Attendance Incentives 

• Read her policy report, co-written by Jeremy Singer, Walter Cook, and Ben Pogodzinski: Detroit’s Uniquely Challenging Context for Student Attendance

The first major storm of the 2024 season, Hurricane Beryl, made history by breaking multiple records and causing widespread devastation along its path. Many of these records were previously set in 2005, a year infamous for storms like Hurricane Katrina, which severely impacted New Orleans. Professor Elizabeth Fussell, a resident of the city at the time, was compelled to study the impact of Katrina. Drawing on this research, she shares insights on how extreme weather events impact communities and what we can learn from this storm, and others like it, to improve our responses as climate change makes these disasters more common and powerful.  

For more on this topic:

• Read Fussell’s SSN policy brief: Time Does Not Heal All Wounds: Psychological Problems for Poor Mothers Five Years After Hurricane Katrina

• Check out her opinion piece on the connection between climate change and population growth in the Los Angeles Times

The dual challenges of mental illness and lack of affordable housing are pressing issues in this election year. In March, California voters narrowly approved Proposition 1, which allocates $6.4 billion to construct new housing and treatment facilities for people with mental illness statewide. But will this measure truly benefit this vulnerable population? Professor Neil Gong delves into the history of mental health treatment in the U.S. and how it has shaped our current system and policy conversations. He tells stories of people he met through his research to highlight the stark differences between mental health care available to the wealthy and the poor, and explores potential policy changes to address the intertwined challenges of homelessness and mental health. 

For more of Neil Gong’s work:

• Read his recent book, Sons, Daughters, and Sidewalk Psychotics: Mental Illness and Homelessness in Los Angeles

• Check out his opinion piece on Proposition 1 in the Los Angeles Times 

• Read his analysis on the Housing First strategy in The American Prospect