Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

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

The death penalty has a long and controversial history in the US. And 30 states still have it on the books. But in 2018, the Washington State Supreme Court decided to ban this punishment after seeing evidence of deep racial inequalities. Doctors Katherine Beckett and Heather Evans lay out what their research says about the death penalty in Washington, how they got involved in this case, and what it was like defending their work with life and death on the line. For More on This Topic: Read Beckett's feature in the Seattle Times, Meet the UW Professor who just killed the death penalty. Check out Beckett and Evans' paper, Race, Death, and Justice: Capital Sentencing in Washington State, 1891-2014

The future of affirmative action is unclear. Harvard has been taken to court for its admissions policies and the case is likely to be the first affirmative action case in front of the new Supreme Court judges. In this archive episode, Professor Natasha Warikoo discusses investigations into school admissions and how focusing on diversity ignores the real reasons for affirmative action. For More on This Topic: Read her brief, How the Ways College Authorities Talk about Diversity Can Undercut Efforts to Fight Racial Inequality Check out her two OpEds for the PBS Newshour on the Harvard court case Find her piece in The New York Times, How Elite Schools Stay So White

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