The Perspectives on Public Policy Journey offers a comprehensive overview of public policy and its role in addressing societal challenges with a focus on inequalities, public policy frameworks, design, analysis, and justification.
Learning Objectives
- Understanding Public Policy: Identify the different types of public policies (e.g., regulatory, redistributive, distributive) and their impacts on various aspects of society.
- Analyzing Policy Issues: Develop skills to research and analyze current societal challenges, such as poverty, climate change, and healthcare.
- The Role of Advocacy and Public Opinion: Learn techniques for effectively writing persuasive pieces that can impact public policy, such as op-eds, policy briefs, and advocacy letters.
- Ethical Considerations: Discuss the ethical implications of public policy writing, including the responsibility of writers to present accurate information and consider diverse perspectives.
- Engagement with Policy Makers: Discuss how young writers can contribute to the policy debate and advocate for change in their communities.
Apply Now
Applications for the Spring 2025 Cycle are open!
Priority Deadline: December 31, 2024
Final Deadline: January 15, 2025
Cycle(s) Offered:
Fall 2024 (Oct 21-Jan 21)
Spring 2025 (March – May)
Time:
3 hours per month
Areas of Focus:
Activism, Civics, Politics
Requirements:
- Have 2 pair sessions per month
- Attend 1 community experience per month
- Complete the Public Policy and Advocacy Shorts course
- Write and produce an Advocacy Short or write an objective, evidence-based argument about a policy issue of your choice.
Perspectives on Public Policy Package
As a mentee or mentor in the Perspectives on Public Policy Journey, you’ll have access to an online course designed to help you learn about public policy’s role in addressing societal challenges. You’ll be paired with a mentee or mentor for one full cycle, and you’ll meet with them at least twice each month. You’ll attend at least one community engagement experience a month.
Perspectives on Public Policy Courses
As a mentee or mentor in the Perspectives on Public Policy Journey, you’ll have access to an online course designed to help you learn about public policy’s role in addressing societal challenges.
Courses:
- Public Policy and Advocacy Shorts
In this course, you’ll learn about public policy frameworks, design, analysis and Implementation. You’ll explore the foundations of federal policy and how contemporary changes have impacted government, and you’ll discuss the impact of social movements on government and vice versa.
This course is offered as a part of this journey package. If you’d like to take a course without joining a journey, click here.
Perspectives on Public Policy Mentoring
As a mentee or mentor in the Perspectives on Public Policy Journey, you’ll be paired with a mentee or mentor for two full cycle, and you’ll meet with them at least twice each month.
This Journey requires mentees and mentors to commit to two cycles and two pair sessions per month. If you’d like to mentor but cannot commit to this requirement, click here.
Perspectives on Public Policy Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Perspectives on Public Policy Journey are required to attend monthly meetings. Additionally, they attend one community engagement per month, such as a Community Studios, College & Career Chats, Salon Experiences, and Affinity Group Meetings.
- October 16, 6pm ET Orientation
- December 14, 12-1:30pm ET Journey Meeting
- January 25, 12-1:30pm ET Journey Meeting
- March 15, 12-1:30pm ET Journey Meeting
- April 26, 12-1:30pm ET Journey Meeting
- May 3, 12-1:30pm ET Journey Meeting
This Journey requires attendance at the Community Experiences noted above. If you’d like to attend Community Experiences but cannot commit to these requirements, click here.
Public Policy 360 Adventure
The Public Policy Journey is a part of the Public Policy 360 Adventure.
Journeys in the Public Policy 360 Adventure focus on the ways that writing and creating can impact public policy. It is designed for those who want to learn more about how to make change in technology, reproductive health, climate change and more. Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
Not ready for a Journey?
If you want to be a part of the Girls Write Now Collaboratory but you aren’t ready to join a Journey, you can participate in individual writing courses, short-term mentoring services, and select community engagement experiences. See all of the options available to you below!
Writing
Take a course without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or attending community experiences.
Mentoring
Meet with a mentee or mentor without joining a journey, accessing writing courses, or attending community experiences.
Community
Attend Community Experiences without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or accessing writing courses.