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.
Meet Dr. Bear: His Story and Journey with IDEA
Bear Brown recently completed his Ph.D. in American politics at Ohio State University. His research interests include the anti-elite framing of legislative candidates in federal elections and the efficacy of protest. Prior to joining OSU, he earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
Here’s how he describes his experience, in his own words:
I came to Ohio State passionate about democracy but unsure where to begin. IDEA gave me that starting point. It opened the door to the democratic process, pushed me to think critically about reform, and showed me how academic work can have real public meaning. It also helped sharpen my research interests and build confidence in the kind of scholar I wanted to become.
I’m Dr. Bear, and I spent six years with IDEA while completing my Ph.D. As a first-year student, I quickly found myself immersed in real democratic engagement. I supported IDEA’s signature deliberative town halls, helping field and organize questions from constituents eager to connect with their representatives. That experience gave me a front-row seat to both the complexity and promise of democratic dialogue, while refining my instincts as a researcher.
Learning by doing
As I continued through the program, I took on more responsibility. I learned how to prepare and submit IRB protocols, participated more actively in team discussions, and helped shape the kinds of questions we were asking in our research. Every step helped me grow as both a scholar and a teammate.
A research assistantship that actually worked
Working with IDEA provided a stable, rewarding path through grad school. As a graduate research assistant, I had competitive funding and a reasonable workload that often overlapped with my own academic goals, allowing me to “double-dip” IDEA work with my own research. I also had consistent support from faculty who reviewed my work, offered guidance, and stood by me as I prepared to enter the job market.
Looking back, IDEA wasn’t just a position—it was a home. A place where I built relationships, found purpose, and became the kind of academic I hoped to be. If you're passionate about democracy and want to do meaningful work that bridges scholarship and public life, there’s no better place to start than IDEA.
If you're looking to connect with Dr. Bear, you can find him on LinkedIn here.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bear-brown-ph-d-a060b1119/