Bridging Research and Real-World Impact
At Poverty Solutions, we turned academic research on poverty into actionable, impactful strategies for policymakers and the public. By prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity, our tailored communications approach led to measurable policy changes at local, state, and national levels, addressing critical issues like auto insurance reform and economic mobility.
From the ground up, we built Poverty Solutions into a thought leader on poverty, crafting a theory of change that combined rigorous academic research with a strategic communications approach to drive real-world impact. By thoughtfully targeting key audiences, we delivered measurable results: policy changes at local, state, and national levels that transformed research insights into actionable solutions. This initiative helped prove that when effectively communicated, academic findings have the power to shape the policies that define people’s lives and create meaningful change for vulnerable communities.
Tailored Materials for Impact: From Briefs to Videos
Our speakers series included experts from across the country—authors, academics, policy makers, and community organizers. Each talk was open to the public and broadcast live. We used each talk as an opportunity to share content — including summary blog articles and short clips for social media, which increased engagement.
For busy policymakers, the communication had to be concise, targeted, and easy to absorb. We developed a suite of materials that met these needs. Policy briefs distilled academic findings into digestible, actionable insights. Short videos used storytelling to humanize statistics and convey the urgency of the research, while press releases ensured consistent messaging across media channels, reaching both the public and policymakers in a way that invited further engagement.
Getting Proximate: Engaging Decision-Makers & Community Leaders Face-to-Face
Inspired by Bryan Stevenson’s advice to “get proximate,” we knew that building relationships with decision-makers required direct engagement. Poverty Solutions became a visible presence at policy events, mixers, and forums, connecting researchers with policymakers who could act on their findings. Speaking engagements, panels, and community events featured voices from all levels—local officials, community advocates, and those affected by poverty—creating a dynamic, inclusive dialogue that highlighted the urgent, real-world relevance of poverty research.
Diversifying Voices: Inclusive Events for Broader Perspectives
Introduced in the fall of 2018, the Real-World Perspectives on Poverty Solutions Speaker Series featured experts in policy and practice from across the nation. Free and open to the public, the talks were also part of coursework for students
Our events deliberately went beyond academia, bringing together local leaders, community representatives, and directly impacted individuals to create a fuller picture of poverty’s effects. This approach fostered a holistic perspective, reinforcing that policies are not just informed by data but are shaped by the voices and experiences of those affected. Giving everyone a seat at the table allowed us to advocate for policies that were better tailored and more empathetic to real community needs.
Data-Driven Storytelling: Transforming Numbers into Narratives
Getting an accurate picture of poverty in a county is challenging - many data points could represent the breadth and depth of poverty on the county level. This map project brings together the most impactful poverty indicators, bringing a full picture of economic mobility in each county. See the map.
A key component of our strategy was transforming complex data into compelling stories that resonated with policymakers and the public alike. While raw data can be powerful, we recognized that numbers alone rarely inspire change. To make the findings of Poverty Solutions impactful, we wove data into narratives that illustrated the human side of poverty, contextualizing statistics in relatable scenarios that brought the issues to life.
By combining data points with real stories from those impacted by poverty, we created a storytelling approach that humanized research findings. This allowed us to present statistics as part of a broader narrative, linking numbers to real-world struggles and successes. For instance, data on housing instability was paired with testimonials from individuals facing eviction, painting a vivid picture of how policy decisions play out in everyday lives.
This data-informed storytelling approach helped decision-makers grasp not only the scope of poverty but also the urgency and importance of addressing it. By turning data into stories, we bridged the gap between abstract research and the lived experiences of people, making academic insights both accessible and compelling.
