Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 35m

With Californian voters deciding on #Prop50 in November, @sarasadhwani.bsky.social (Pomona College) comments on the significance of the redistricting effort and notes the need for fair election maps across all states.

Read more from @nicolenixon.bsky.social in @sacbee.com :

Prop. 50 Voter Guide: What to know about California’s redistricting measure

What you need to know before Nov. 4’s statewide election on redistricting.

www.sacbee.com

Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 17h

"What’s under attack isn’t just a set of programs," writes Anthony Hernandez (@uwmadison.bsky.social) about attacks on Minority-Serving Institutions. "It is a vision of America itself —one where diversity is an asset, education opens doors, and opportunity expands rather than contracts."

Read. ⤵️

Trump education cuts quietly declare that opportunity should be rationed on race | Opinion

Educators still showing up — preserving culture, keeping students safe, and protecting pipelines into mobility, but they are holding on against tide

www.jsonline.com

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 19h

In their new op-ed, Lucrecia Mena-Meléndez and Kristen N. Jozkowski (Indiana University) reveal that, despite policy decisions, most Americans believe jail time for those who break anti-abortion policies is a cruel and unjust penalty.

Read more in @msmagazine.com: msmagazine.com/2025/10/03/a...

Americans Oppose Criminalizing Abortion. Too Many Policymakers Aren’t Listening.

Politicians, Listen: Americans Oppose Criminalizing Abortion and State Abortion Bans That Punish Women, Pregnant People and Abortion Providers

msmagazine.com

Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 21h

In our latest No Jargon podcast episode, Nancy Hiemstra (@stonybrooku.bsky.social) explains how detention became a multi-billion-dollar industry, breaking down who profits, who pays, and how communities across the country are tied to immigration detention.

🎧 Listen now: scholars.org/podcast/big-...

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 1d

In this op-ed, @wdlopez.bsky.social of @umich.edu says that recent mass deportations will lead to severe social and economic repercussions. He writes about the resistance efforts led by those who have supported families impacted by ICE raids.

Read more in TIME: time.com/7319484/immi...

Mass Deportation Has Begun, But So Has Mass Resistance

How rural communities resist ICE and support their neighbors.

time.com

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 1d

"...To drive voter turnout within these communities, it’s imperative to recognize that in Black communities, voting is often a declaration of Black joy and a commitment to show up for one another."

Learn more from @melissamichelson.bsky.social, @sldemora.bsky.social, and Sarah Hayes. ⤵️

Melissa R. Michelson @melissamichelson.bsky.social · 3d

Plz read our piece on the Electoral Power of Black Joy & our new Party at the Ballot Box research; huge thanks to @scholars.org for editing and pitching the piece! @sldemora.bsky.social Sarah Hayes thefulcrum.us/civic-engage... @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social

Harnessing the Electoral Power of Black Joy

As is often the case in U.S. elections, Black voter turnout will be crucial this fall. Voters in heavily Black cities like Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, will decide whether to re-el...

thefulcrum.us

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Reposted by Scholars Strategy Network

Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 5d

My latest for @msnbc.com, on the recently announced policy of TrumpRx. While reducing prescription drug costs is vital, it's hard to square with other Trump policies that cut against that goal, on top of which the drugs they mentioned would still be too expensive. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...

Opinion | ‘TrumpRx’ may disappoint Americans hoping to save money on prescriptions

For many Americans, a trip to the pharmacy means the stresses of figuring out which drugs are covered or how to afford those drugs at all.

www.msnbc.com

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 4d

We are thrilled to welcome @marissavelarde.bsky.social of San Diego State University to the network! Velarde's research focuses on the structural, policy, and community determinants of sexual and reproductive health.

Learn more from Velarde's member profile: scholars.org/scholar/mari...

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 5d

In this new op-ed, @drchikaokafor.bsky.social (Northwestern University) writes about his research on colorblind hiring and admissions policies, in which he shows that these policies still reproduce discrimination due to their influence on social networks.

Read more in @chicagotribune.com:

Chika Okafor: The myth of colorblind fairness

New economic research shows that even under fully colorblind hiring and admissions policies, outcomes over time would not be fair.

www.chicagotribune.com

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 5d

Rhetoric about “Black-on-white-crime” is being widely discussed throughout social media and among policymakers. Charis Kubrin (@ucisocialecology.bsky.social) says these crimes are “the exception rather than the rule.”

Read from @aaronlmorrison.bsky.social & @ttangap.bsky.social, in @apnews.com. 👇

A train stabbing in North Carolina becomes fuel for old racial tropes in politics and media

After a Ukrainian woman who fled war in her homeland was stabbed to death on a commuter train in North Carolina, the alarming act of violence has ignited bitter racial and political rhetoric about cri...

apnews.com

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 6d

🥳 So excited!

Reposted by Scholars Strategy Network

UConn School of Social Work @uconnssw.bsky.social · 6d

Congratulations to UConn School of Social Work alumna Shannon Lane '09 Ph.D. for being named a 2025-26 Scholars Strategy Network (@scholars.org) Media Fellow! At UConn, Shannon is director of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work. scholars.org/media-fellow...

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 6d

We are thrilled to welcome @rogerfigphd.bsky.social of Cornell University to the network! Figueroa’s research examines the role of social services & policies (such as childcare & food assistance), as well as sustainable food systems.

Learn more from his member profile: scholars.org/scholar/roge...

Graphic introducing new SSN member Roger Figueroa. On the left, text reads: 'NEW SSN MEMBER. Roger Figueroa, Assistant Professor in Social and Behavioral Science in Nutrition, Cornell University. Expertise: Inequality, Children & Families, Public Health.' On the right, a photo of Roger Figueroa smiling, wearing glasses, a dark blazer, and light blue shirt, with arms crossed.

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 6d

Contraception is an essential right for women across the globe, says @mimiziemanmd.bsky.social (Emory University) in this new op-ed from @newsweek.com. She writes about the consequences of rolling back funding for and access to contraceptives across the U.S.

Read Zieman's piece today:

While Talking About Public Health, Let’s Not Forget Contraception | Opinion

Contraception means survival, opportunity, and self-determination not just in Africa but here in the U.S.

www.newsweek.com

Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 7d

We are thrilled to welcome @karenguzzo.bsky.social of the University of North Carolina to the network! Guzzo is a family demographer and sociologist, and she serves as Director of @uncpopcenter.bsky.social.

Read more about Guzzo: scholars.org/scholar/kare...

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Reposted by Scholars Strategy Network

Sarah Bruhn @sarahbruhn.bsky.social · 7d

I'm so honored and excited to be part of this group! Thank you @scholars.org!

Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 7d

🌟 We’re excited to welcome the third cohort of SSN Media Fellows!

Over the next year, these scholars will work with SSN mentors to grow their media impact and share research with wider audiences.

📰 Learn more: scholars.org/media-fellow...

This image features a group of seven media fellows from various universities, with their names and institutions listed below their photographs. The background shows a collage of newspaper pages, and there is a banner at the bottom with a website link—scholars.org/media-fellowship for more information. The image is associated with the Scholars Strategy Network.

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 7d

🙌 And thank you to our incredible mentors for guiding this year’s fellows:

@tjamesonbrewer.bsky.social, Rachael Cobb, @efrankenberg.bsky.social, @wdlopez.bsky.social, Anne-Marie Núñez, Christine Percheski, and @americanstudier.bsky.social.

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 7d

👏 Meet the 2025-26 SSN Media Fellows:

@iamlorenbeard.bsky.social, Nadia Behizadeh, @sarahbruhn.bsky.social, Anthony Hernandez, Shannon Lane, Regina Marie Mills, and Mara Casey Tieken.

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 7d

🌟 We’re excited to welcome the third cohort of SSN Media Fellows!

Over the next year, these scholars will work with SSN mentors to grow their media impact and share research with wider audiences.

📰 Learn more: scholars.org/media-fellow...

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 7d

"On average, strong religious beliefs and involvement in a religious community do not make an American woman less likely to terminate her first pregnancy," explains Amy Adamczyk (John Jay College) in this @us.theconversation.com op-ed where she breaks down her research on religion and abortion. ⤵️

Religion often shapes someone’s view of abortion – but what about a woman’s actual decision?

Strong religious beliefs often shape disapproval of abortion – in the abstract. But when young women are actually deciding whether to terminate a pregnancy, faith’s role is more complex.

theconversation.com

Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 11d

We are excited to welcome @orgulozturk.bsky.social of the University of South Carolina to the network! Ozturk’s research examines national and state-level policies with a focus on disparities by gender, race, and socioeconomic status.

➡️ Learn more about Ozturk: scholars.org/scholar/orgu...

Photo of Orgul Ozturk with "New SSN Member" banner on the top left followed be "Orgul Ozturk" "Hames A. Morris Professor of Economics" "University of South Carolina" "Expertise: Education, Children & Families, Public Health"

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 11d

🎓 First-generation graduate students face systemic gaps that make it harder for them to enroll and complete advanced degrees. In this policy brief, Michelle Rossi (UC Davis) discusses the institutional, departmental, and faculty changes necessary to support #FirstGen students.

Read the full brief:

Advancing Equity in Graduate Education by Supporting First-Generation Students

Access to graduate and professional education is increasingly a key determinant of social mobility, career opportunity, and economic well-being. Yet despite a 35% increase in graduate enrollment…

scholars.org

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 12d

In 2026, @calmatters.org & the @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social Possibility Lab will launch Knowledge Hub, a site for research work that’s relevant to CA state policy. Lab Director Amy Lerman says this will benefit researchers and lawmakers.

Read more from @sonyanews.bsky.social, @calmatters.org:

CalMatters debuts Knowledge Hub with UC Berkeley’s Possibility Lab as launch partner

The site for research work that’s relevant to state policy will become a showcase for research from organizations across California starting in 2026.

calmatters.org

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 12d

"When countries spend more on social services like Head Start, everyone’s health outcomes are better."

@rogerfigphd.bsky.social (Cornell) writes on the precarious future of Head Start in NY & urges state policymakers to treat it not only as an education program, but also as a public health one. ⤵️

Roger Figueroa, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Sc. @rogerfigphd.bsky.social · 13d

Pleased to share my latest Op-Ed published in @timesunion.com. In this piece, I examine how funding cuts to public assistance programs may impact Head Start and eligible families. Huge S/O to @scholars.org for their guidance editing and pitching the article.

www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...

Commentary: As feds cut public assistance, New York can act to protect Head Start eligibility

Changing how families become eligible can keep them in the program. And that's important, because Head Start boosts not only kids' learning, but their lifelong health.

www.timesunion.com

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Scholars Strategy Network @scholars.org · 12d

Thanks for the shout out!

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