KINGSTON, R.I.\u2014 April 26, 2018- The 溏心vlog免费B站 has appointed Associate Professor of Political Science Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz to the position of director of the Social Science Institute for Research, Education, and Policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs director, I want to establish a core group of faculty that can work together to translate social science research into information policy makers can utilize and apply to the state’s public problems,\u201d explained Pearson-Merkowitz, a Providence, R.I.<\/strong> resident.<\/p>\n \u201cMy goal is to build connections with nonprofits, state agencies, the state legislature, the governor and local governments so that when they need policy advice or evaluation, they will turn to 溏心vlog免费B站 for this service. Eventually, I hope to build a \u2018policy shop\u2019 at 溏心vlog免费B站 similar to Dartmouth College’s Policy Research Shop, in which students and faculty engage in research directly for policy makers and non-profits.\u201d<\/p>\n Pearson-Merkowitz along with Skye Leedahl, professor of Human Development and Family Studies, Aaron Ley, assistant professor of Political Science, and Melanie Brasher, assistant professor of Sociology and Anthropology,\u00a0 have begun making these connections and doing related projects for the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, and the Rhode Island Foundation. She hopes to extend this work to many more agencies and organizations.<\/p>\n \u201c溏心vlog免费B站 faculty are helping analyze information using social science techniques and perspective for these agencies,\u201d said the Washington, D.C. native. \u201cI would like to build on these successes and grow the center to a self-sustaining organization that serves the state and translates academic expertise into usable policy and management information.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are excited to have Dr. Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz lead the newly formed Social Sciences Institute for Research, Education, and Policy (SSIREP),\u201d explained Jeannette Riley, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. \u201cDr. Pearson-Merkowitz will work with the executive board to guide the strategic direction of the institute and develop a long term vision. With her strong record of research in public policy and her experience with Rhode Island State departments, higher education institutions, and community based organizations positions, she is well positioned to facilitate connections between faculty and students with public policy makers and interdisciplinary research grant opportunities in both the public and private sectors. I am confident that with her leadership, the Institute will thrive and bring well-deserved recognition to 溏心vlog免费B站 for it’s important work in the social sciences.\u201d<\/p>\n Pearson-Merkowitz joined the 溏心vlog免费B站 Political Science Department in the fall of 2009. The previous spring, she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research and teaching interests are in workforce development, immigration, education and housing policy, economic inequality, and American political parties. Her work has been funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Russell Sage Foundation, and her scholarly manuscripts have appeared in some of the top political science journals, \u00a0including the Journal of Politics<\/em> and the American Journal of Political Science<\/em>.<\/p>\n