Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

In a democracy, government is supposed to represent the people. But Congress doesn’t exactly look like your average American. In fact, lawyers make up a huge number of our federal representatives, but only a small percentage of the American population. Professor Adam Bonica unravels why we have so many lawyers in office, what fundraising has to do with it, and what it all means for how our government functions. For more on this topic: Read this Vox piece on Bonica’s research, There are too many lawyers in politics. Here’s what to do about it. Check out his academic articles, Professional Networks, Early Fundraising, and Electoral Success and Why Are There So Many Lawyers in Congress?

Every February students across the country learn about Black History Month, including the civil rights movement. But educating children on the civil rights movement takes on a special role when you’re located in Birmingham, Alabama. Professor Tondra Loder-Jackson dives into the history of civil rights activism in Birmingham’s schools and what teachers today should know as they tackle this important topic in their classrooms. For more on this topic: Read Loder-Jackson’s SSN brief, How Alabama Can Earn a Straight "A" in Civil Rights Education Check out her book, Schoolhouse Activists: African American Educators and the Long Birmingham Civil Rights Movement

Americans are more likely to die of an opioid overdose than of a car accident. But even as national attention has shed light on this crisis, opioid addiction remains a difficult problem to solve. Professor Peggy Compton lays out how doctors can help patients suffering from chronic pain without turning to opioids, what treatments actually work for people who do develop an opioid addiction, and how to encourage wider use of these evidence-based practices. For more on this topic: Check out Compton’s SSN brief, How to Win America’s Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic Read her research paper, Providing Chronic Pain Management in the “Fifth Vital Sign” Era

America’s democracy is in uncharted waters. From attacks on the media to challenges against free and fair elections and the longest government shutdown in US history, the future of American democracy looks increasingly unclear. Recorded at the SSN National Leadership Convening, Washington Post Columnist EJ Dionne talks through the media’s responsibility in these tense times and one big policy idea to help right the ship. For More on this Topic: Read Dionne’s Washington Post piece mentioned in the episode and his regular column. Check out his Brookings report on the case for universal voting Find his most recent book, One Nation After Trump

The consequences of climate change are looking increasingly dangerous and imminent, yet little has been done to address this crisis. Professor Garth Heutel lays out a potentially cost-effective way to reduce global temperatures and stave off global warming. But solar geoengineering is not a silver bullet. While the benefits are clear, the costs are much more uncertain. For More on this Topic: Read summaries of his research in his two-page SSN brief and an article in The Conversation. See his full article in the Annual Review of Resource Economics.

Real estate agents help us navigate the housing market, get the best prices, and find the perfect house to call a home. But they also help decide who gets to live where, and not everyone gets the same options. Professor Elizabeth Korver-Glenn shares her research on the hidden ways real estate agents keep neighborhoods segregated, and what can be done to change their ways. For more on this topics: Read Korver Glenn’s brief, How America’s Real Estate Brokers Still Use Practices That Reinforce Racial Segregation Check out her conversation with the CEO of the real estate company Redfin

In the last few years, the United States has seen one horrific mass shooting after another. But despite public outcry and support for gun control legislation, little has changed. In this second episode with Professor Robert Spitzer, he lays out what policies have been implemented federally and in the states and what policies could actually work to reduce gun violence. For more on this Topic: Read Spitzer’s SSN brief, The Evidence Shows that “Stand Your Ground” Laws Undermine Law Enforcement and Public Safety Check out his OpEds in the New York Times, The Gun Safety Issue is Actually Helping Democrats and America Used to be Good at Gun Control. What Happened? Find his books, The Politics of Gun Control and Guns across America: Reconciling Gun Rules and Rights

In 2018, the debate about gun rights and gun control was front and center after a tragic school shooting in Florida. But this debate has been raging for a long time in the U.S. In this first part of our interview with Professor Robert Spitzer, he lays out the history of the gun rights and gun control movements and what might change in the coming years. For more on this Topic: Read Spitzer’s SSN brief, The Evidence Shows that “Stand Your Ground” Laws Undermine Law Enforcement and Public Safety Check out his OpEds in the New York Times, The Gun Safety Issue is Actually Helping Democrats and America Used to be Good at Gun Control. What Happened? Find his books, The Politics of Gun Control and Guns across America: Reconciling Gun Rules and Rights

Chinese restaurants have become a staple in America, and they’re especially popular during the holidays. In this archive episode, Professor Heather Lee tells the story of how a loophole in the Chinese Exclusion Act led to the Chinese restaurant boom in America. Drawing parallels to today, she explains the unintended impacts of the law on the U.S. and China. For More on this Topic: Read articles in The Atlantic and NPR citing Professor Lee on Chinese restaurants in the United States. Check out her 2-page brief, The Untold Story of Chinese Restaurants in America

Babies need diapers. But for 1 in 3 mothers, diapers are just too expensive to always have on hand. And that can leave children and families in a precarious situation. Professor Jennifer Randles lays out the diaper dilemma, how it affects America’s families, and what policies can be put in place to help solve the problem. For More on this Topic: Read her memo, Policy Proposal: Reduce Diaper Need Among Families in Poverty Check out her article with Barbara Risman in Psychology Today, Diapers, Depression, and Gender Matter for Social Policy Want to donate to the National Diaper Bank Network? More information here

Access to good housing is key to better health, both now and in the future. So what happens when the youngest and oldest members of our society don’t get the housing support they need? First, Professor Andrew Fenelon breaks down how affordable housing can change the lives of children. Next, Professor Jennifer Ailshire outlines the problems unique to the homeless elderly and what needs to change to help this growing population. For More on this Topic: Read the Kaiser Health News’ article on Fenelon’s research Check out the website for the Greater Los Angeles Homeless CountListen to Episode 142: Nowhere to Live on the challenges of housing assistance programs

Americans of color consistently have worse health outcomes than their white peers. So what’s behind this trend? First, Professor Margaret Hicken lays out how black Americans must often prepare themselves in the face of racism and what effects this has on their bodies. Next, Professor Abigail Sewell lays out how police use of force can impact not only the health of individuals, but of entire communities. For More on this Topic: Read The Michigan Daily’s article on Hicken’s research Check out Hicken’s 2-page brief, Measuring the Social Impact of Mass Imprisonment on America's Black and White Families and Communities Find Sewell’s website and blog Visit the website for Cornell’s Center for the Study of Inequality, which organized the Deep Wounds conference.

After over a year of competition between hundreds of cities and municipalities, Amazon has finally announced the location, or two locations, for its HQ2. But in this archive episode, Professor Nathan Jensen explains how cities and states often lose more than they gain when politicians use tax incentives to bring businesses to town. Read Jensen’s SSN brief, Business Location Incentives are Ineffective – So Why Do They Persist in American States and Localities? Check out his book with Professor Edmund Malesky, Incentives to Pander: How Politicians Use Corporate Welfare for Political Gain, or the quick video they made to explain some of their main findings. Find his opinion pieces in The New York Times and The Conversation

On November 6th a historic number of women and women of color were elected to Congress. And that means important changes could be coming to Capitol Hill. Professor Kelly Dittmar dives into the role of congresswomen in Washington DC, how women in the capitol view themselves, and what the election of more women to office means for our country’s future. For More on this Topic: Read Dittmar’s new book with professors Kira Sanbonmatsu and Susan J. Carroll, A Seat at the Table Check out their CNN OpEd, What Hasn’t Changed About Women in Power Since Anita Hill Listen to their interview on the New Books Network

On Tuesday, voters across the country went to the polls in one of the most watched midterm elections in decades. And now the results are in. So what does it all mean? Scholars Didi Kuo and Gabriel Sanchez break down some of the biggest trends from the 2018 midterms, like the Latino vote, what they say about our two political parties, and what we can expect for the future. For more on this topic: Read Kuo’s brief, What History Teaches about Reforming U.S. Political Parties and Governance Check out her piece in The American Interest, The Paradox of Party Polarization Listen to Sanchez’ previous interview on No Jargon, The Latino Vote

Across the country, states are making abortion less and less accessible. And that means there are many people who seek an abortion but are denied one. So what does that mean for a woman’s health and well being? And what impacts does this have on her children? Professor Diana Greene Foster discusses the groundbreaking Turnaway Study she led to answer these questions. Check out Foster’s SSN brief, New Evidence about Women's Experience with Abortion - Compared to Carrying Unwanted Pregnancies to Term Visit the website for the Turnaway Study Read the article by Foster and the article by Professor Ushma Upadhyay mentioned in the episode (paywall)

Unemployment is very low and Americans report having strong confidence in the economy. But not everyone is benefitting equally. Professor Harry Holzer digs into why many Americans without a college degree still struggle to find jobs, especially ones that pay well, and what the government can do to help. For more on this topic: Read Holzer’s report for Brookings, Jobs for the working class: Raising earnings among non-college graduates Check out his SSN brief, Are Job Training Programs a Good Way to Fight Poverty?

When the US decides whether or not to grant an immigrant a green card, they look at many factors. That includes if they heavily rely on certain government programs to get by. But proposed changes at the federal level means this whole system is about to change. Professor Tiffany Joseph explains these changes and what they mean for immigrants in America. Find the full rule online at the Federal Register, where public comments can be submitted Check out this explainer of the public charge rule change by Vox Read Joseph’s SSN brief, How Health Reform Excludes Unauthorized Immigrants – And Why That Needs to Change

College campuses are full of conversations about politics and policy. But many of these college students don’t turn out when it actually matters, on Election Day. Nancy Thomas explores what gets students to vote and how college administrators, faculty members, and students can improve voting rates on their campuses. Check out the report co-authored by Thomas, Election Imperatives Read her interview with The Chronicle of Higher Education, Here’s How Colleges Can Get More Involved in Elections -- and Not Just the Midterms Visit the website for the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education at Tufts University

Casting a ballot seems as American as apple pie. But in Florida, one in ten people have had their voting rights taken away because of a criminal conviction. Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy dives into the history of Florida’s voting system, how ex-felons get their rights back, and what Florida voters can do to help.