We’re not just getting started

This is the start of the group blog “Research Shows.”

Contributors include Maine researchers who belong to the state’s branch of the national Scholars Strategy Network. Most are faculty members who write academic books and journal articles who also engage with citizens, community groups and public officials.  Good research, they believe, can address public challenges. Since jargon can get in the way, they write here without all the technical language and lingo.

This blog is new but we’re not just getting started.

Every other week since June 2012, a column from a Maine SSN member or members has appeared in the Bangor Daily News. To read those published between June 2012 and January 2013, see the bottom of this post.

Many members speak to civic groups. Please contact us if you are interested in having one of us come to a meeting or event.

Also, like other members of the national Scholars Strategy Network, Maine SSN members, members prepare clearly written two-page briefs highlighting research findings, presenting basic facts on timely topics, and offering policy options about many issues – ranging from how best to create jobs, spur economic growth, and ensure effective health and educational reforms, to how to revitalize American democracy and tackle knotty challenges of reforming the nation’s immigration system and protecting the environment. To read these briefs and learn more about what we do, visit http://www.scholarsstrategynetwork.org/.

For an article about the Scholars Strategy Network nationally and in Maine, see this article from the Maine Policy Review.

Previous Bangor Daily News columns:

Amy Blackstone. Do you ignore or disrespect older co-workers? January 22, 2013.

Emily Shaw. Maine’s new marriage law in context. January 8, 2013.

John Dorrer and Luisa Deprez. Join the union club: It’s a good bargain. December 25,

Michael Howard. Want the public to heed global warming threats? Cap carbon emissions, pay dividends to everyone. December 11, 2012.

Rob Glover. Suspending MaineCare for migrants is shortsighted, unethical. November 27, 2012.

Amy Fried. New budgets, policies should reflect direction expressed by voters. November 13, 2012.

Emily Shaw. Everyday Maine politics: Be informed, get involved. October 30, 2012.

Luisa Deprez. Romney budget would hurt Mainers, economy. October 16, 2012.

Sandy Butler. Home care workers deserve respect and fair pay. October 2, 2012.

Laura Fortman. National, state leaders should not forget victims of circumstance. September 4, 2012.

Lynne Miller. How the Ryan budget would impact Maine schools and students. September 18, 2012.

Lynne Miller. The ABCs of school success? Not quite, LePage. August 8, 2012.

Emily Shaw. LePage’s restrictions on bonds hurts businesses he claims to support. July 24, 2012.

Amy Blackstone. Childless and loving it: Not being a parent has advantages for families and kids. July 10, 2012.

Theda Skocpol. Affordable care lives: A benefit and challenge for Maine. June 20, 2012.

John Dorrer. How to get Maine’s unemployed back to work. June 26, 2012.

Luisa Deprez. Paycheck Fairness Act would help women and their families. June 12, 2012.

Sandy Butler. We can do better: Harsh consequences on TANF time limits. February 19, 2013.

Sandra S. Butler, Luisa S. Deprez and John Dorrer. Investing in Maine’s future: The case for the competitive skills scholarship programs. February 26, 2013.