Trying on a new hat: Lessons from a summer at the policy table

As a doctoral student in community psychology, my work has always been grounded in a simple question: How can psychological science be used to create more equitable  communities? My participatory research and evaluation work has fostered conversations about food sovereignty, community violence prevention, stem access, policing reform, housing, mental health, and other systems that shape an individual’s opportunities, livelihood, and well-being. Yet, before this summer, much of my experience translating research into action took place at the Chicago community level. Being selected as the 2026 Dalmas A. Taylor Memorial Summer Policy Fellow gave me a unique opportunity to view my work within the scope of the federal policy arena.

During my time with APA Advocacy this summer, I witnessed policy work from a much closer perspective. I attended the weeklong Summer Psychology Institute, where I was trained on advocacy and watched as psychologists were prepared to engage with policymakers. Those skills were put into practice on Capitol Hill, where I met with congressional offices to advocate for sustained financial funding for Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) in fiscal year 2027. Through this experience, I became a part of the MFP fellows family and gained a lifelong mentor. This summer included several other visits to the Hill, where I attended hearings focused on issues such as diversity, equity, inclusion and federal budget priorities. I participated in coalition meetings on behalf of APA, learning the power of unified advocacy. I also connected with APA staff to learn about their portfolios and policy work, giving me a deeper understanding of the organization’s advocacy efforts. Each of these experiences gave me new perspective on how psychologists can contribute to conversations beyond the realm of academia.

One of the highlights of this summer was participating in the inaugural Black Men and Boys Well-being Summit held at the University of Maryland. At the summit, I had the opportunity to contribute to the development of a national framework, sponsored by five national mental health and community organizations, focused on Black men and boys' well-being through a lens of their assets. This experience closely connects with my own work as a community psychologist who works primarily with Black communities in spaces like stem education, belonging, and community violence interventions. It was a reminder that policy conversations are strongest when they include the voices, experiences, and expertise of the communities most affected by the issues being discussed.

My time at APA taught me a great deal about what it means to be an advocate who uses their voice. I participated in this firsthand by supporting the development of two public comments: one focused on juvenile justice, and another on the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed rule for Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance. This experience taught me how psychologists and advocates can participate directly in the policymaking process. I learned how powerful public comment can be as a tool for improving governance and helping decisionmakers understand how proposed rules and policies may affect real communities.

One of the most meaningful aspects of the fellowship was being in Washington, DC, and being able to attend in-person meetings with members of the House and Senate. I met with a legislative aide from the office of U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico to discuss community violence intervention as one of the promising approaches to addressing gun violence as a public health crisis. In conversation, I brought my perspective as a researcher and consultant working alongside Chicago CRED. Being able to speak directly with a congressional office about research and community-based approaches to violence prevention was one of the moments when I most clearly saw the connection between my work and federal policy. Given the continued challenges related to gun violence across the country, it is more important than ever to ensure that policymakers have access to research and community knowledge when making decisions.

These experiences clarified a few insights for me:

• Research and policy timelines are often misaligned. Policy decisions can happen quickly, while good research takes time. Researchers must think creatively about how to get their useful evidence into policy conversations when it matters most.
• Policy work is about relationships. I learned how much trust and communication are deeply involved in moving an issue forward.
• Psychologists are needed at the policy table today. Psychology gives us a unique way of understanding how people and systems interact. At a time when many of the issues affecting communities are being debated at the federal level, psychologists have an important perspective to bring those conversations to help reshape systems that have historically left many communities behind.
• Local politics matter, too. While I had some experience with lobbying at the local level in Illinois before the fellowship, I am now incredibly empowered to build relationships with my representatives, share my research, and make sure the communities I work with are a part of the conversation.

This summer affirmed that my work does not have to stop at publishing, presenting research, or sharing evaluation findings at conferences. I want to continue building a career that connects data, voices, and action to prevent issues and crescendo towards thriving communities. The Taylor Fellowship gave me a chance to try on a new hat and see how psychological science can be used in a different way. I am grateful, and I leave this experience with a strong sense of duty and a toolkit equipped with the means to be a psychologist—one who produces research that is useful to policymakers and promotes wellness for communities.