Penn State social scientists head to Washington, DC, for Advocacy Day

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – A delegation of Penn State faculty members recently traveled to Washington, DC to participate in the 2024 Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA) Social Science Advocacy Day. The event, held April 8-9, brought together social and behavioral scientists from across the country to advocate for the continued importance of federal funding for their areas of research.

Penn State was well represented by an interdisciplinary group of faculty members affiliated with the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI), including:

• Michael Donovan, associate director of the Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative (EIC) and assistant research professor of social sciences and public policy

• Kristin Buss, Tracy Winfree and Ted H. McCourtney Professor of Children, Work, and Family and Professor of Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies

• Erica Frankenberg, professor of education policy studies/demography and deputy director of SSRI

• Emily Ansell, associate professor of biobehavioral health

• Nelson Roque, assistant professor of human development and family studies

• Niki Von Lockette, associate professor of public policy and African American studies

Making their voices heard

These social science practitioners joined more than 50 colleagues from other institutions, universities, and professional associations in a total of 66 meetings with representatives of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senators and their staffs. During these meetings, they discussed the crucial role that social and behavioral science research plays in addressing crucial societal challenges.

The Penn State delegation also highlighted the impact of their own research and emphasized the need for continued federal support for areas such as public impact research, mental health support, cognitive decline, and substance use and addiction.

Investing in the future

“Federal funding is essential to advancing social and behavioral science research,” Donovan said. “Our work helps us understand complex social issues and develop solutions that improve lives. By advocating for continued support, we can ensure that this vital research continues to have a positive impact on our communities and our country.”

Frankenberg said it was helpful to learn from lawmakers about policy and the current budget environment.

“We had a lot of interest from congressional staffers interested in our research, which I hope will be the start of conversations to support social science research and the adoption of more evidence-based policies,” Frankenberg said.

The COSSA Social Science Advocacy Day serves as an essential platform for social scientists to connect with policymakers and educate them on the value of their work. Penn State’s participation demonstrates the university’s commitment to supporting social science research and ensuring its continued contributions to solving real-world problems.

The Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) was a major sponsor of the event. The EIC is part of SSRI and is a research center for the science of scientific impact – with the aim of improving the relevance, value and use of research data to advance social good. The EIC leverages expertise in administrative data, program design and evaluation, and relationships between researchers and policymakers to optimize public and private investments.