Interview Continuation with Alex Wheatley '16 *20 and Nathan Eckstein '16 *20 - Graduate Student Reflections - Part 2
In a recent interview conducted by Emma Kaeser, Social Sciences Correspondent, Alex Wheatley '16 20 and Nathan Eckstein '16 20, both students in the Scholars in the Nation's Service Initiative (SINSI) Graduate Program, discussed the role of research in different settings, including academia and public service.
The interview took place in two parts, with this being Part 1. Nathan Eckstein, who works in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, in Western Hemisphere Affairs, shared his insights on the disconnect between the realm of academia and the realm of public service, particularly in foreign policy circles. He emphasised the importance of streamlining research processes, open and transparent sharing of research outputs, effective communication tailored to policymakers, and building partnerships between researchers and policy practitioners to make academic research more accessible and applicable in public policy.
Alex Wheatley, on the other hand, spoke about her current project, a health policy project that reviews and evaluates US engagement in the health systems of the Freely Associated States in the Pacific (Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands). She believes that the best health policies are "evidence-based" and highlighted the difficulty in identifying and collecting the right data for analysis.
The interview also touched upon the issue of informative policy research not always being incorporated into actual policy making. Both Alex Wheatley and Nathan Eckstein acknowledged the value and difficulty of research for public service work.
The Scholars in the Nation's Service Initiative (SINSI) is a scholarship program designed to prepare students for careers in the U.S. government. Students in the SINSI program spend two years pursuing an MPA in the Woodrow Wilson School and two years in a SINSI fellowship with an executive branch department or agency. The interview, however, did not mention any new scholarship programs, fellowships, or departments or agencies.
The interview did not discuss any current projects that Alex Wheatley or Nathan Eckstein are working on. Neither did it discuss any differences in views between Alex Wheatley and Nathan Eckstein on any specific topic. The interview also did not discuss any future plans or predictions for Alex Wheatley or Nathan Eckstein.
Key approaches to make academic research more accessible and applicable in public policy include using AI-powered and digital research platforms, promoting openness in research, tailoring communication strategies to policymakers, ensuring availability and sharing of research tools and materials, and fostering research-practice-policy partnerships (RPPs). Together, these strategies enhance the relevance, clarity, dissemination, and usability of academic research within public policy contexts.
References: [1] [AI-powered and digital research platforms] [2] [Openness in research] [3] [Tailoring communication strategies to policymakers] [4] [Ensuring availability and sharing of research tools and materials] [5] [Fostering research-practice-policy partnerships (RPPs)]
Read also:
- Thriving Weegerhof: SBV and locals leaned on eco-friendly endeavors prosper
- Escalating Doctor Shortage Pushes to a Critical Point - Xavier University School of Medicine Aruba Increases Efforts to Address the Deficit
- Progress Report on Activism for 2025
- Kamala Harris Reveals Plans to Steer Clear from 2026 California Gubernatorial Race, Sparking Curiosity about Her Future Professional Plans
