We Can Move Mountains: Engaging in State-Level Policy Work

• Published date: 01 May 2021
• Date: 01 May 2021
• Author: Lisa M. Growette Bostaph,Melissa Wintrow
• DOI: 10.1177/1043986221999860
• Subject Matter: Essay

https://doi.org/10.1177/1043986221999860

Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice

2021, Vol. 37(2) 212 –220

© The Author(s) 2021

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DOI: 10.1177/1043986221999860

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Essay

We Can Move Mountains:

Engaging in State-Level

Policy Work

Lisa M. Growette Bostaph1

and Melissa Wintrow2

Abstract

An increasing number of academic researchers are becoming involved in state-level

policy work as a result of existing local partnerships or direct requests by agency

directors or elected officials. Most faculty and policymakers do not receive any

training in doing such collaborative work and, for each party in the partnership, it

can often seem like landing on another planet or, at the very least, visiting a foreign

country, with different jargon, players, and stakes. This essay provides a brief guide

to navigating the world of state-level partnerships in policymaking.

Keywords

public policy, criminal justice policy, researcher–practitioner partnerships, collaborative

work

Introduction

There is a growing desire among researchers to either conduct policy-relevant research

or to share existing research they believe could inform the policy process. Even with

this increased interest in policy work, few researchers receive any education or train-

ing during our doctoral studies on exactly how to engage in this process or initiate

policy-relevant work. Similarly, legislators want to make the best decisions we can;

however, we are making decisions not only about policy approaches but also about

how taxpayer dollars will be spent. Appropriate research and data can guide us as to

what has been deemed an effective policy solution (or not).

1Boise State University, ID, USA

2Idaho State Legislature, Boise, ID, USA

Corresponding Author:

Lisa M. Growette Bostaph, Boise State University, 1910 W University Dr, Boise, ID 83725, USA.

Email: lisabostaph@boisestate.edu

999860CCJXXX10.1177/1043986221999860Journal of Contemporary Criminal JusticeBostaph and Wintrow

research-article2021