This page highlights the journeys of IDEA students, what they’ve achieved, and how IDEA supported them through paid roles, mentorship, and real-world experience. From undergraduates and graduate researchers to IDEA Fellows in congressional offices, these stories demonstrate the impact of student work at IDEA and the opportunities that are still available today.
From First-Year Ph.D. to Civic Scholar: Dr. Bear Brown’s Journey with IDEA
When Bear Brown arrived at The Ohio State University to begin his Ph.D. in American politics, he carried with him a strong sense of purpose but little clarity about where to begin. Like many who are drawn to the study of democracy, he was motivated by a desire to contribute, but unsure of how to turn that passion into something tangible.
Then he found IDEA.
Through a graduate research assistantship at the Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability (IDEA), Bear stepped into a role that would span six years and shape both his research and his path as a scholar. In his first year, he supported IDEA’s signature Deliberative Town Halls, helping field and organize questions from citizens looking to connect with their representatives. For a new scholar, it was an extraordinary front-row seat to the real-world complexities of democratic dialogue.
Over time, Bear’s role expanded. He learned to navigate IRB protocols, contributed to research design, and began shaping the very questions that would animate the team’s work. The experience didn’t just build his skills; it deepened his voice as a researcher. His dissertation would eventually focus on the anti-elite framing of legislative candidates and the efficacy of protest, issues that echoed what he had seen firsthand through his work with IDEA.
What made the difference wasn’t just the nature of the work. It was the ecosystem: stable funding, consistent mentorship, and a culture that encouraged rigor and relevance. For Bear, the assistantship wasn’t something to “get through,” it was something that sharpened his direction.
He puts it simply: “IDEA wasn’t just a position, it was a home.”
That home gave him the freedom to align his academic goals with public engagement, and the confidence to carry his research into the world beyond the university. Today, Bear holds a Ph.D., a sharpened research agenda, and a career built on values IDEA helped affirm from day one.
To connect with Dr. Bear, visit his LinkedIn profile.