Policy Research & Writing

Overview

Researched and published two policy briefs in a practitioner-facing research journal focused on understanding social issues and assessing interventions. The briefs examined illiteracy among adults in the United States and mental illness among refugees in the Middle East, each drawing on 200+ hours of research to describe the issue, map the landscape of existing responses, and identify gaps in policy and practice.

Approach

• Conducted extensive literature reviews spanning academic research, policy documents, and practitioner reports
• Assessed the landscape of existing interventions and identified gaps in evidence and practice
• Synthesized complex findings into accessible, evidence-based publications written for practitioners, students, and social sector audiences
• Contributed to editing and quality review across the broader Ballard Brief publication series

Outcomes

• Published two research articles each drawing on 200+ hours of independent research
• Contributed to a practitioner-facing research library used by students, nonprofit professionals, and social entrepreneurs