Contemporary Matters PPRI Events

CONTEMPORARY MATTERS

& PPRI EVENTS

PPRI hosts a lunch series,

“Contemporary Matters” where we invite a panel of experts across disciplines, from crosscutting STEM fields, humanities, and social sciences, to discuss a common topic or contemporary matter from the lens of their field. They each speak very briefly then the conversation is open to all participants in the room, bringing the strength of the collective disciplines to bear on a wicked problem.

So far, the discussions – on drones, westernization of diets, and A.I. and us – have been very robust and engaging. PPRI provides lunch and an informal forum to ask questions, tease out issues, and talk about possible solutions. At the end of each discussion, a report highlighting what was discussed is produced and attendees are invited to keep the conversation going in their own Facebook group. Reports to date can be found on our website.

FACING WICKED PROBLEMS TOGETHER

PPRI events are integral to our mission of enhancing the impact of Purdue’s policy-relevant research and fostering interdisciplinary teams and projects. We host a variety of offerings aimed at catalyzing new ideas & partnerships, communicating ongoing research, and equipping researchers with tools to insert their work into the policy realm.

We host Contemporary Matters Lunches a couple of times a semester focusing on hot topics and wicked problems and inviting speakers and attendees from all disciplines for a robust discussion focusing on the issues, questions, and potential solutions. The highlights of this dialogue are captured in a report published by PPRI. PPRI hosts a Public Policy Workshop to bring together students and faculty members that would like to know more about the importance of a well written policy brief and tips on how to put one together. Our Innovator’s Reception is a fun way to present projects and research across disciplines. Come mingle and learn what your colleagues are working on with flash presentations and possibly make new connections or find inspiration for your project.

PPRI events are integral to our mission of enhancing the impact of Purdue’s policy-relevant research and fostering interdisciplinary teams and projects. We host a variety of offerings aimed at catalyzing new ideas & partnerships, communicating ongoing research, and equipping researchers with tools to insert their work into the policy realm.

Signature events are held each semester to highlight work being done in strategic areas. These symposia bring together outside experts, exceptional Purdue faculty, and interested minds from all across the community to talk about the problems facing our generation.

THE SSN

The Scholars Strategy Network is a nationwide, voluntary, interdisciplinary membership organization for academics. The network is comprised of more than 800 scholars from more than 200 colleges, universities, and research institutions in 44 states.

Scholars organize in 31 regional chapters across the nation, including an active and growing chapter in Indiana, led by Purdue University’s Dr. Rosalee Clawson, Dr. Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, Dr. Leigh Raymond, and Dr. S. Laurel Weldon.

PARTNERSHIPS FOR POLICY WORKSHOP

MISSION STATEMENT

The Scholars Strategy Network seeks to improve public policy and strengthen democracy by connecting scholars and their research to policymakers, citizens associations, and the media.

SSN members spell out the implications of their research in ways that are broadly accessible. They engage in consultations with policymakers in Washington DC and state capitals. They make regular contributions to the media and share findings and ideas with journalists and bloggers. Many SSN scholars also work with advocates and civic organizations to address pressing public challenges at the national, state, and local levels.

SSN members believe that university scholars should share their work with fellow citizens – and they endeavor to further good public policymaking and responsive democratic government. Beyond these shared values, members hold a variety of views – and SSN as a whole does not endorse any political party, candidate, or specific policy position. Each SSN scholar takes individual responsibility for signed contributions and choices about civic engagement.

Pictures and Information: www.scholarsstrategynetwork.org

PPRI co-hosted an on-campus workshop,

“Partnerships for Policy Workshop” on January 30, 2018. This training, developed by the Scholars Strategy Network, aimed to provide concrete tools to empower researchers to foster long-term, reciprocal relationships with policymakers. These relationships have the potential to address policy crises and opportunities when they arise, as well as to promote policy improvement over the long-run.

In the pursuit of its mission to bridge the gap between American universities and the American policy process, the organization has identified the knowledge and skills researchers need to more effectively use their expertise in the policy realm. The centerpiece of this workshop was an approach that emphasizes relationships and researchpractice partnerships between academics and practitioners, rather than the traditional model of one-way information dissemination.

BECOMING AN SSN MEMBER

Contact SSN’s Director of Research & Policy, Ben Miyamoto (ben@scholars.org), who will provide the profile form and a policy brief writing guide, necessary to submit before being admitted as a member.

PPRI offers Policy Brief Workshops during the academic year, and is available to assist with policy briefs year-round. Visit the PPRI events page for workshop dates, or contact us at ppri@purdue.edu for assistance.

SPRING 2018 WICKED