Public Policy Working Group

INTERDISCIPLINARY PUBLIC POLICY WORKING GROUP

ON POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS

We plan to launch the first Good Wolf Public Policy Working Group (PPWG) in early 2023. Public policy working groups will be a major vehicle for using neuroscience insights to create effective solutions for major issues facing our world, such as poverty, violence, and climate change.

The goal of this first PPWG is to bring neuroscience knowledge relevant to addressing poverty and homelessness into public conversation and policymaking. 

The PPWG will consist of a diverse group of individuals with experience or expertise in public policy interested in developing more effective approaches to address poverty and homelessness. The PPWG will examine, with the help of neuroscientists and other experts, what is known from research in neuroscience and related fields, both about causes and about neuroscience-informed, evidence-based interventions to address these social challenges.  

The work of the PPWG will include an examination of relevant knowledge from neuroscience and related fields, results of previous interventions, social, economic, and behavioral factors in the implementation of interventions, identification of local, state, and federal levers for making and reforming policy, and communication and advocacy strategies for ensuring that its findings are widely disseminated.  

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The PPWG Process

Good Wolf’s PPWG will follow a unique process designed to develop neuroscience-informed public policy recommendations at local, state, and national levels. Distinctive aspects include:

1. Orientation of members to basic concepts in developmental, behavioral, and cognitive neuroscience. Through the “three-step” process, members will open their minds to new perspectives and to working effectively in a diverse, interdisciplinary process.

2. Group members will include persons who encompass one or more of the following criteria:

    • Have experienced poverty and homelessness first-hand
    • Have addressed these issues within a community-based organization
    • Are aware of current policies related to poverty and homelessness
    • Have experience successfully advocating for policies in local, state and federal venues
    • Possess expertise in communication, public relations and media who can help to translate policy prescriptions into effective “frames” and/or “messages” for public campaigns.

3. Advisors to the PPWG will include neuroscientists and other experts who (1) have an interest and/or experience in using their knowledge of brain science to inform policy analysis related to poverty and homelessness and/or (2) are schooled and experienced in translating research and other data into concrete policy proposals and legislation.

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Apply today

Good Wolf staff will host and facilitate meetings, coordinate the participation of experts in neuroscience and other relevant areas, provide technical assistance, help with informational resource acquisition, document project progress, and generate reports and other communications. The meetings will be held virtually.  

Our goal will be action, through incorporating findings of the PPWG into public conversations, the work of advocacy organizations and other stakeholders, and the decisions of policymakers.

If you're interested in engaging with the PPWG we'd be delighted to hear from you. Please email us at engage@goodwolf.org.