About ‘Views Through a Policy Prism’
Why does policy news often add to confusion rather than clarity?
The difference isn’t more data or faster news. It’s having frameworks that separate signal from noise—tools that show you which pieces of information actually matter and why.
That’s what Views Through a Policy Prism delivers every week.
Understanding the Prism
Think of a deck prism—those glass fixtures ship builders installed flush with ship decks to collect sunlight and direct it below, illuminating the dark interior. Sailors needed that focused light to see problems developing below deck and diagnose what needed fixing.
That’s what frameworks do for policy analysis. They take overwhelming information—news, data, competing claims—and focus it so you can see the patterns that actually matter. The policy streams flowing beneath surface chaos become visible. You can diagnose which dynamics are driving change, when opportunities might open, and whether it’s time to act or wait.
How It Works
Every Wednesday, I take a current policy development and show you what’s really happening through the lens of political science frameworks—especially John Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework.
Current Events Analysis (free for all subscribers): I apply frameworks to breaking policy news, revealing how abstract theories expose concrete patterns. You’ll see why some issues suddenly capture attention while others fade, why certain solutions gain traction, and when policy windows actually open.
Deeper Insights (for paid subscribers): I unpack the theoretical frameworks themselves, teaching you to use frameworks as your own analytical prism. These aren’t just academic concepts—they’re practical tools that help you anticipate opportunities, structure your thinking, and communicate more persuasively.
I apply them to current events, then teach you to use them yourself.
Why Frameworks Matter: The Telework Story
Take telework policy. For years, advocates tried framing it as an environmental strategy (fewer cars on gridlocked roads) or a quality-of-life issue (parents home for soccer practice). Nothing stuck.
Then COVID hit. Suddenly the problem stream exploded—the economy couldn’t shut down despite indefinite social distancing requirements. The political stream shifted—everyone demanded remote work options. And the policy stream was ready—mature technology, tested pilots, proven models. The streams aligned. The window opened. Policy changed at every level, from individual offices through federal mandates.
And now it’s sticky. Efforts to force people back face real resistance because the change took root.
That’s what frameworks do. They help you see which stream needs attention, when windows might open, and whether you should wait or jump. Good analysis helps you develop proposals, identify the problems that matter, and assess political timing—knowing when to save your energy and when to push for change with everything you’ve got.
I know this from experience. As Director of Research at the Telework Consortium, I supported Congressional efforts to revolutionize federal workforce practices long before COVID normalized remote work. We briefed Congress twice. My studies entered the Congressional Record. We showed what was possible, but real policy change didn’t happen until the streams aligned.
A Faster Route to Policy Expertise
Most policy professionals learn their craft through trial and error, mentorship, reading policy memos, observing senior staff, and formal training programs. That’s valuable, but it’s slow.
I offer a faster, more transformative route: frameworks that make policy patterns visible.
I know this works because my graduate students—many of them Congressional staffers—keep telling me so. One Hill staffer explained that frameworks helped her identify which evidence actually mattered for the specific issue she was investigating and communicate that more clearly and quickly. “I wish I’d learned this years ago,” she said.
Do frameworks help people perform better, make better predictions, write stronger memos, and be more effective in their jobs and advocacy efforts? Yes to all of those.
That comment got me thinking: How can I get these tools out of the classroom and into the hands of people who can actually use them to improve policy outcomes?
Views Through a Policy Prism is my answer.
My Background (Or: Why Trust Me?)
My path to policy research and analysis wasn’t typical, and that’s what makes my perspective useful. I started as an IT systems architect building executive decision-support tools for federal agencies including the NRC, IRS, and HHS. That taught me how policy decisions influence implementation—and where the breakdowns happen.
My telework work taught me something crucial about policy change: why some policies succeed while others fail. The problem stream, the political stream, and the policy stream all matter. Miss one, and coupling fails—no matter how good your solution is.
That fascination led me back to academia, where I earned a Ph.D. in public policy, as a late-blooming academic who never lost sight of practical demands. In the years since, I’ve been translating frameworks like Kingdon’s Multiple Streams into tools that policy professionals can actually use.
Why This Matters Now
Democracy works better when policy professionals have the tools to analyze clearly and citizens have the knowledge to participate effectively. That’s where public scholarship comes in. Academic theory shouldn’t stay locked in journals—it should strengthen democratic governance by making rigorous analysis accessible to everyone doing or understanding policy work.
Knowledge can strengthen democracy, but only if it’s usable.
Who This Is For
You’ll find this newsletter valuable if you’re:
A Hill staffer buried in briefing requests, looking for ways to work smarter
A state policy analyst turning data into policy recommendations
An advocacy professional trying to strengthen your influence
An engaged citizen who wants to understand how policy really works
Whether you’re producing policy or trying to understand it, frameworks are where everyone begins. A Hill staffer might use MSF to write a memo or time a legislative push. A citizen might use it to understand why their issue isn’t getting traction, or whether a political party’s claims are reliable. Same framework, different applications.
You’re not just looking for policy news. You want tools that help you understand what’s happening and what might come next.
What Frameworks Can and Cannot Do
Let me be clear: frameworks help you analyze, but they don’t predict the future or guarantee policy success. They’re diagnostic tools that help you identify the meaningful signals amid the chaos of events, opinions, and noise. They’re like the deck prism that reveals what’s happening below deck so you can make better decisions about what to do next.
I’m taking frameworks out of the ivory tower and applying them prospectively, in real time, cutting a path through the policy jungle so others can move forward faster and more strategically.
What You Get
Free Subscribers receive:
Real-time analysis applying frameworks to current policy developments
Access to plain-language “Backgrounders” that demystify policy jargon
Contact me directly with questions (as demand allows)
Paid Subscribers receive:
Everything above, plus...
“Deeper Insights” pieces unpacking the frameworks themselves
Priority contact.
Free copies of my latest publications 🎁
Founding Members receive:
Everything above, plus...
My heartfelt gratitude ♥️
Highest priority contact 🤗
Occasional surprises!
Your support—whether as a free or paid subscriber—makes this work possible. Thank you.
Ready to See Policy More Clearly?
Subscribe now to start receiving weekly analysis that transforms policy chaos into clear patterns you can actually understand and use.
