Graduate Student Policy Brief Writing Workshop presented by the Scholars Strategy Network

This workshop is being offered complimentary for all current ASHE Graduate Student Members courtesy of the Scholars Strategy Network.

ASHE has partnered with the Scholars Strategy Network since 2021 to offer a series of professional development events. The Scholars Strategy Network (SSN) is a national membership organization made up of college- and university-based researchers interested in improving policy and strengthening democracy. Founded in 2011 by Theda Skocpol, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology at Harvard University, SSN has grown into a network of over 1800 researchers in 47 states. SSN members organize themselves into local chapters across the United States, working to advance the use of research wherever policy decisions are made - from city halls to state legislatures to Washington.

About the Workshop

This workshop is for scholars who want to learn how to write compelling and jargon-free policy briefs. Participants move through each step of the policy brief drafting process and actively shape their idea into a first draft. The workshop includes practical information on how to distribute your policy brief for maximum impact.

During this workshop, you will:

• Learn how policy briefs are used in the policymaking process
• Understand the components of a policy brief
• Begin writing the outline of your brief through a guided exercise with feedback
• Read and evaluate a sample policy brief
• Have best practices for sharing your brief with a policymaker