Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

The CIA has become an almost mythical government agency, viewed as full of super spies who carry out the US government's wishes across the globe. And perhaps one of the most infamous of these accounts is the CIA's supposed orchestration of the 1973 coup in Chile. But Professor James Lockhart's new research casts doubt on this common narrative. He digs into the CIA's actual influence in Chile, why this narrative has become so ingrained, and what it all means for the US today. For more on this topic: Check out Lockhart's book, Chile, the CIA and the Cold War: A Transatlantic Perspective Read his SSN brief, How Getting History Right Can Improve Relations between America and the Global South Find his article with the Marine Corps University Press, How Effective Are Covert Operations?: The CIA's Intervention in Chile, 1964–73

In 1890, the Supreme Court called solitary confinement "barbaric," speculating that it would be abandoned altogether as a correctional practice. But now, nearly 130 years later, it's clear that their prediction couldn't have been more wrong. Professor Keramet Reiter tells the story of how solitary confinement became so widespread in the US, what this practice means for prisoners, and what can be done to change the system. For more on this topic: Check out Reiter's book, 23/7: Pelican Bay Prison and the Rise of Long-Term Solitary Confinement Read her SSN brief, The Root of America's Over-Use of Solitary Confinements in Prison — and How Reform Can Happen Listen to her interview on NPR's Hidden Brain podcast

This week, we're bringing you an episode from Big Brains, a podcast produced at The University of Chicago. Big Brains tells the stories behind the pivotal research and pioneering breakthroughs reshaping our world. They cover everything from the hidden dangers of artificial intelligence to the discovery of gravitational waves. This episode features Professor Eric Oliver on the science of conspiracy theories and political polarization. For More on This Topic: Check out the website for the Big Brains podcast Read these articles in USA Today, The Atlantic, and The Guardian on conspiracy theories.

When elected officials redraw districts in their own party's favor, the impact can be enormous, swaying elections and influencing policy for years to come. This practice - known as gerrymandering - is one of the most hotly debated in American politics right now, and it's one the Supreme Court will soon weigh in on. Dr. Peter Miller lays out the legal cases surrounding gerrymandering, what these decisions might mean for future elections, and what else can be done to get states to draw maps in ways that are not politically motivated. For more on this topic: Read Miller's SSN brief, Why Independent Redistricting Commissions Should Draw Electoral District Maps Check out his pieces for the Brennan Center for Justice on Maryland's extreme gerrymander, popular support for redistricting reform, and gerrymandering's effects on 2018 election results

Building healthy and equitable communities is a tough challenge, but it's one that public policy is well position to address. In this episode, produced in collaboration with the Health Policy Research Scholars program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, two PhD candidates share their research on what can be done to improve the health of both patients and their providers. First, Kristefer Stojanovski reveals why the fight to eradicate HIV must include a push to address bias among doctors. Next, Yaminette Diaz-Linhart outlines how the stresses of the job impact health care workers, and what this means for their patients. For more on this topic: Check out the Health Policy Research Scholars program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Find the profiles for Kristefer Stojanovski and Yaminette Diaz-Linhart

Public policy influences just about every part of our lives, and perhaps one of the most important is our health and well-being. In this episode, produced in collaboration with the Health Policy Research Scholar program by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, two PhD candidates share their research on some unintended consequences at the intersection of health and policy. First, Tyler Jimenez explains how existential threats, like the fear of death, can affect people's support for policies meant to address health inequalities. Next, Amy Jones lays out how the lives of students of color are impacted by our push for diversity on campuses, and what this means for their health. For more on this topic: Check out the Health Policy Research Scholar program by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Find the profiles for Tyler Jimenez and Amy Jones

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.