Researcher-Policymaker Collaboration in COVID-19: Lessons Learned from Boston’s Summer Jobs Program Webinar

How can research inform policy in the midst of a crisis? This past Spring, a collaborative relationship between Professor Alicia Modestino and the Boston Mayor’s office saved and then expanded Boston’s summer jobs program in the midst of the biggest pandemic in a century. This webinar will share the lessons learned from that story.

Following framing remarks from Vivian Tseng, William T. Grant Foundation, on the importance of research-policy partnerships, Alicia Modestino, Northeastern University, and Midori Morikawa, Director of Business Strategy at the City of Boston will discuss how they were able to rapidly deliver and use research to make the case for expanding the jobs program and redesigning it to be safe and enriching for young people during the pandemic. They will also discuss strategies for developing a long-term, trusting researcher-policymaker relationship, including researcher responsiveness to policymaker needs, co-creation of research agendas, and accessible translation of research findings.  Extensive time will be provided for audience questions.

Panelists:

• Vivian Tseng, Senior Vice President of Program, William T. Grant Foundation
• Alicia Modestino, Associate Professor, Northeastern University
• Midori Morikawa, Director of Business Strategy at the City of Boston
• Moderator: Loretta Goodwin, Deputy Director, AYPF