Plains Research Consortium in Auburn’s College of Education hosts Scholars Strategy Network to advance research-to-policy impact

The Plains Research Consortium in Auburn University’s College of Education recently hosted a delegation from the Scholars Strategy Network (SSN) for a day of conversations focused on strengthening the connection between academic research and public policy.

The April 17 visit brought together Auburn faculty from across disciplines with leaders from the Alabama Scholars Strategy Network chapter for discussions on how university-based research can inform decision-making at both the state and national levels. The Scholars Strategy Network is a national, nonpartisan organization that connects researchers with policymakers, journalists and civic leaders to promote evidence-informed public policy. The Plains Research Consortium, a collaborative effort within the College of Education, is a leading voice in educational policy and health research. It aims to drive impactful change through rigorous empirical analysis and actionable insights and is focused on informing and empowering local, state and national policymakers with evidence-based, nonpartisan solutions that enhance educational systems and improve outcomes for all students. The consortium does so through rigorous, data-driven research that addresses the most pressing challenges in education.

Throughout the consortium’s half-day visit with the Scholars Strategy Network, faculty explored opportunities to contribute to policy conversations in key areas such as education policy, workforce development and community well-being — all core priorities aligned with Auburn’s land-grant mission.

“This was an important step in deepening Auburn’s engagement with policy-informed scholarship,” said Andrew Pendola, a member of the Plains Research Consortium and faculty member in the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology at Auburn’s College of Education. “Our faculty are doing high-quality research that speaks directly to challenges facing Alabama’s education and workforce systems. This visit helped create pathways for that work to reach policymakers and have real-world impact.”

The agenda included a welcome and overview of Auburn’s policy-relevant research strengths, small-group and one-on-one lunch discussions with SSN leaders, and a series of research lightning talks hosted by the Plains Research Consortium. Conversations continued informally during a networking gathering with faculty and PRC members later in the afternoon.

For the College of Education, the visit highlighted ongoing faculty engagement with state policy issues such as school funding, teacher workforce sustainability, leadership development and student outcomes. SSN leaders shared information about membership opportunities, training resources and strategies for translating research into policy briefs and public-facing scholarship.

Participants also discussed ways to strengthen collaboration among researchers at Auburn University, the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham through the Alabama SSN chapter, positioning the state as an active contributor within the national network.

Representatives from the Alabama Scholars Strategy Network delegation included:

• Matthew Dolliver, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice, University of Alabama
• Peter Jones, associate professor of public administration and policy, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Josie Leonhardt, doctoral student in criminology and criminal justice, University of Alabama
• Maura Mills, professor of management, University of Alabama

The event marked another step forward in Auburn’s efforts to bridge research, practice and public service — ensuring that scholarship generated on the Plains contributes to evidence-based solutions for Alabama and beyond.

“The Scholars Strategy Network visit reinforced Auburn’s role as a university committed not only to discovery, but to service,” Pendola said. “By connecting research to policy, our faculty can help shape decisions that affect education systems, communities and opportunities across the state.”