Exiting the Cocoon of Academia : Close Encounters with the Policy Process

Exiting the Cocoon of Academia describes a scholar's experiences in practical politics at local, state, and federal levels. Christopher E. Smith served on a local committee evaluating corporal punishment in public schools, provided expert testimony on capital punishment for a state legislature, ran for Congress, and led a non-profit advocacy organization focused on reducing gun violence. Throughout these experiences, Smith's assumptions about the value of social science research for the development of evidence-based policy collided with the practical power of decision makers' firmly held beliefs or political self-interest. Smith's experiences provide guidance on understanding and addressing belief-based resistance to research evidence and illuminate how anti-democracy elements of US politics and government impede the advancement of evidence-based policy making. His reflections also reveal behind-the-scenes aspects of political parties and elections. The political contexts examined in Exiting the Cocoon of Academia show how even seemingly small actions by individuals can contribute to policy change. Lessons drawn from these contexts encourage scholars and others in society to pursue engagement in politics and policy development with a practical understanding of frustrating impediments and challenges.