Nathan T
- Research Program Mentor
MPP candidate at Georgetown University
Expertise
Law, public policy, state and federal government/politics
Bio
Hi - I'm Nathan, and I'm first-generation college student working on my Juris Doctor and Master of Public Policy degrees at Georgetown University. Before that, I went to the University of Richmond for undergrad, where I majored in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law (PPEL). I have a background working in state and federal government, nonprofit, and consulting, and have worked most in-depth with matters related to energy and environmental law and policy, marijuana legalization and regulation, and criminal justice and policing reform -- though I've also had general exposure/experience working with a variety other issue areas in both academic and professional settings. Outside of work and school, I enjoy traveling, hiking, checking out new restaurants, and going out with friends. Looking forward to working with you on your project!Project ideas
Draft a Policy Proposal/White Paper
Think of an issue you've observed in your city, state, or country - what can be done to address it? Whether you're interested in criminal justice reform, voting rights, education, the environment, or another area, consider what policies can be implemented to help address a particular issue. Your proposal could be broad or narrow in scope. Identify the problem or issue, analyze current data, summarize potential policy proposals, and make a recommendation of what action(s) should be taken.
Data Collection of Different State Laws
We know that state laws can vary, but we often may not know what those laws are outside of our home state. Identify a particular area/law of interest, and compile data on how that law varies across different states. For example, you may compile a breakdown of different states' vote-by-mail requirements, or a breakdown of different states' criminal penalties for simple possession of cannabis.
Analyze a U.S. Supreme Court Decision
U.S. Supreme Court decisions have considerable impacts on our federal system, civil rights, and more. Identify a Supreme Court decision on a topic of interest - it could be a recent or historic decision - and discuss what the Court's opinion says, why the Court decided the way that it did (look for references to prior cases as well as policy and other rationales), and what effects the decision will have. You might also choose to take a position on the issue, discussing whether or not you believe the Court made the right decision and why.