Bio: Dr. Elizabeth Cooner is the Executive Director of the New Jersey State Policy Lab, which conducts rigorous analysis of policy issues facing New Jersey. With more than twenty-five years of professional experience, Dr. Cooner has worked in higher education, survey research, and management consulting. As the Vice President of Social and Public Policy at Louis Harris & Associates, she authored reports on health concerns across a woman’s lifespan, adolescent risky behaviors, and the changing workforce. 

Project Title: Policy Collaboratory

Project Description: The New Jersey State Policy Lab is working with SPIA in New Jersey to host a Policy Collaboratory. Graduate students from Rutgers and Princeton will work in teams blended across universities and disciplines to brainstorm creative approaches to address public policy challenges impacting New Jersey. This event builds students’ confidence in their ability to contribute to our democracy by influencing public policy in New Jersey. This is essential in a democracy, where power is derived from the people