Vanderbilt hosts inaugural event to strengthen research–policy partnerships

Vanderbilt University welcomed regional policymakers, researchers and community leaders to campus early this month for Policy Innovation Days, designed to connect universities with state and local governments and highlight effective public policies based on research.

The event was presented by the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovationin partnership with the Social Science Research Council, an independent nonprofit that helps connect research to public policy. The event was supported by Arnold Ventures, which funds research to improve policy and social outcomes.

Communities across Tennessee and the nation are facing urgent challenges related to artificial intelligence, educational outcomes and public health. "Tackling these challenges requires more than rigorous research," Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver said to those gathered in the Student Life Center ballroom. "It demands partnership-researchers working hand-in-hand with policymakers, practitioners and community leaders."

Building on that theme, Maya Chandrasekaran, SSRC presidential fellow and program director, said bottlenecks can stymie fruitful partnerships. Policy Innovation Days was created to overcome these bottlenecks, she said and "spotlight successful collaborations, bring researchers and agencies together in conversation and spark new projects that can lead to funded research and real-world impact."

Representing Arnold Ventures, Andrew Bacher-Hicks, vice president of evidence and evaluation, underscored the importance of events like this one. "We fund research, but it's equally critical to bring researchers, practitioners and policymakers together to ensure lasting, durable change. Evidence can and should improve the lives of Americans, and convenings like today's help make that possible."

Vanderbilt faculty participants included:

• Kristen Gilliland, Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery

• Jason Grissom, Peabody College of education and human development

• Erin Henrick, Peabody College of education and human development

• April Kapu, School of Nursing

• Cynthia Osborne, Peabody College of education and human development

• Analisa Packham, College of Arts and Science

• Ganesh Sitaraman, Vanderbilt Law School

• Jesse Spencer-Smith, College of Connected Computing

• Michael Vandenbergh, Vanderbilt Law School

Organizers said they hope Policy Innovation Days inspires similar events for university and government partnerships across the country.