Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

Many of us are part of one organization or another that’s hoping to create change. Yet all too often, it feels like the levers of change are stuck. Professor Hahrie Han tells the stories of a few organizations that have been able to break through, get a seat at the table, and create real, tangible results. When it comes to organizing, there is no magic formula, but her research sheds light on patterns from groundbreaking organizations that can lead to success. For more on this topic: Read Han’s SSN briefs on organizing and developing leaders Check out her previous book, How Organizations Develop Activists: Civic Associations and Leadership in the 21st Century Find our leadership announcement about Hahrie Han’s and Jamila Michener’s new positions on the SSN Board of Director

For many renters, evictions can depend on the whims and wishes of their landlord. And with no right to a lawyer in housing court, there’s almost no chance to fight back and win. But that all recently changed in New York City and San Francisco. Professor Jamila Michener explains how both cities came to enact groundbreaking new laws to help tenants get access to a lawyer and what the movements behind these laws say about the power of organizing. For more on this topic: Check out this New York Times series on the city's housing court  Read this San Francisco Chronicle piece on that city’s new law

This Sunday is Mother’s Day. But while this is one day of celebrating moms everywhere, many of them aren’t doing so well the other 364 days of the year. That’s because more moms today are struggling to balance work and family life, often with little support. Professor Caitlyn Collins breaks down how US moms are doing these days, how our family support system compares to other countries, and what needs to change to better support working mothers year-round. For more on this topic: Check out Collins’ book, Making Motherhood Work: How Women Manage Careers and Caregiving Read her opinion piece in The New York Times

Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren recently proposed a massive plan to eliminate most student debt and tuition at public colleges. But student debt is just one part of the larger problem of college affordability. Professor Sara Goldrick-Rab explains the impact of the high cost of college on students at public and community colleges, including hunger, homelessness, and debt without getting a degree, and offers concrete solutions. For more on this topic: Read Goldrick-Rab’s SSN briefs on the costs of higher education Check out her OpEds in the Chronicle of Higher Education and The Philadelphia Inquirer Find her book, Paying the Price: College Costs, Financial Aid, and the Betrayal of the American Dream.

The presidential race for 2020 is already well underway and two of the biggest policies Democratic hopefuls are pushing include a $15 minimum wage and Medicare-for-All. Professor Jeannette Wicks-Lim lays out the costs and benefits of each and what these massive policy changes would mean for the country—and for inequality. For more on this topic: Read Wicks-Lim’s brief, Why Fast Food Employers Can Adjust to a $15 minimum wage without Shedding Jobs Check out her research reports on the $15 minimum wage and Medicare-for-All

Wildfires, flooding, and some of warmest years on record -- climate change has become an ever more imminent threat. But without action from DC, the states have become the frontline of climate change policy. Professor Leah Stokes unravels the history of clean energy laws in the states, how environmental advocates and industry groups have battled it out there, and how the Green New Deal fits into the fight. For more on this topic: Check out Stoke’s OpEd on the Green New Deal in The Washington Post Read her OpEds about climate change policy and public opinion in the LA Times, and The New York Times.

Inequality is rampant in America’s schools and many of the proposed fixes end up falling far short of their goals. But ethnic studies courses have shown to be a potentially powerful solution. Professor Nolan Cabrera dives into the legal fight over these courses, how these programs can work in schools across the country, and what they can do for student achievement. For more on this topic: Read Cabrera’s brief, How Ethnic Studies Can Reduce Racial Achievement Gaps Check out his OpEd in the Chronicle of Higher Education, The Numbers Won’t Speak for Themselves

This week, we’re bringing you an episode of Democracy Works, a podcast that examines what it means to live in a democracy. This episode is a conversation with David Frum, a prolific author and former speechwriter for George W. Bush. David is a passionate defender of democracy and talks with Democracy Works host Jenna Spinelle about how everyone can become better democratic citizens. Democracy Works is produced by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State and WPSU Penn State, central Pennsylvania’s NPR station. New episodes are released every Monday at democracyworkspodcast.com or your favorite podcast app. For More on This Topic: Check out David Frum’s writing at The Atlantic Read his book, Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic

We like to think that state governments make decisions based on their particular situations. But it turns out, often that’s not the case. In fact, three large conservative groups have gained massive influence in state houses across the country, working to pass legislation in line with their views and corporate sponsors. Professor Alexander Hertel-Fernandez explains their rise and strategies, why state governments are so susceptible to their influence, and what this all means for American democracy. For More on This Topic: Check out Hertel-Fernandez’s book, State Capture Read his SSN brief, Why U.S. Conservatives Shape Legislation across the Fifty States Much More Effectively than Liberals Find his opinion piece in The New York Times with Leah Stokes and Matto Mildenberger

Flint, Michigan has been in crisis since 2014, plagued with unsafe drinking water and a local government in debt. Thankfully nonprofits came to the rescue, donating millions of dollars and hundreds of hours to help in the long process of bringing clean water back. Professor Davia Cox Downey tells the story of two Michigan cities in crisis, how each benefited from the help of nonprofits, and what still needs to be done to restore trust in the local government. For more on this topic: Read Downey’s brief, How Foundations and Nonprofits Can Respond to Urban Crises and Bolster Governments in Decline Check out her OpEd with Sarah Reckhow and Joshua Sapotichne in The Washington Post