CRB Nexus: Where Policy Meets Research

“By 2026, the library will be… a modern research library whose online and physical resources meet state government’s research needs and contribute to sound policy decisions.”

Greg Lucas, State Librarian

About

The CRB Nexus is a community of California researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and organizations committed to public policy solutions informed by data-driven research. We come together to connect, build professional relationships, and share information. Together we translate evidence into action and foster the next generation of public scholarship aimed at identifying and solving policy issues.

Values

Praxis. The best solutions emerge from an iterative process of translating ideas into action, reflecting on outcomes, and revising ideas for subsequent action.

Research & Research Methods. The best solutions emerge when information and data are systematically collected and analyzed using innovative and established research methods to answer practical questions and test theories.

Collaboration. The best solutions emerge when individual interests are focused on people and organizations working together.

Interdisciplinary. The best solutions emerge when researchers and practitoners representing different disciplines, organizations, and occupations come together to solve public policy issues.

Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion. The best solutions emerge in an environment where EDI is woven into the processes used to solve public policy issues.

What is a Public Researcher?

Public researchers share their knowledge outside of the academic world to effect change and support informed decisions that often have far-reaching societal impacts. They engage the public in their areas of expertise and educate the next generation of public scholars. Researchers who do public scholarship apply their research and disciplinary expertise, derived from their formal education and experience, in many ways:

  • Supporting public policymakers and their staff
  • Building and/or evaluating public programs
  • Informing policy
  • Advocating for change
  • Sharing their research through official and social media outlets

Public researchers often provide legislative hearing testimony; manage large publicly funded research grants that have strict reporting requirements; talk to policymakers and their staff; serve as experts on task forces and government committees; perform expert research for government agencies; write op-eds, executive summaries, and freely available public reports; function as media experts; work with community members to solve local problems; and organize social movements. Policy staff, journalists, and public figures contact them to verify information, ask for more information, receive briefings, and otherwise request public scholars’ expertise. Check out our partners to know more about their public researchers and research activities!

Contact Us

Staff

Tonya D. Lindsey, Ph.D., Project Director
tonya.lindsey@library.ca.gov
(916) 603-7134

Cesar Reyes, M.L.I.S., Creative Content Manager
cesar.reyes@library.ca.gov
(279) 399-8968


Thanks to Joan Budesa, Charmin Goehring, Debra Guckenheimer, Jennifer Rogers-Brown, and Sarah Fenstermaker of “Well Said” for their ongoing support and guidance.