Policy Outsider

Education is a critical component of preventing firearm injuries and deaths. On this episode of Policy Outsider, we explore a program in Washington State that delivers to high school students an evidence-informed education on how to reduce firearm injury. The discussion explores what the curriculum covers, its reception in schools, and why it's so important to get this information to students. That conversation is up next.GuestsGregory Engel, Vice President for Education, Ceasefire NorthwestGreg Schwab, Assistant Superintendent, Edmonds School DistrictJaclyn Schildkraut, Executive Director, Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium, Rockefeller Institute of Government

Bridging the Divide on Firearm Policy is a coalition of stakeholders who represent many perspectives on firearms in America—gun owners, gun rights and Second Amendment activists, advocates for gun regulations, firearm dealers, firearm instructors, legislators; the list goes on. The goal of this coalition? To create a sustainable, broadly supported policy roadmap that improves gun violence prevention while protecting constitutional rights. On this episode of Policy Outsider, we explore the work of the group with Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium scholars Michael Siegel, the group's facilitator, and David Yamane, a member of the coalition.GuestsMichael Siegel, Professor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of MedicineDavid Yamane, Professor of Sociology, Wake Forest UniversityJaclyn Schildkraut, Executive Director, Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium, Rockefeller Institute of GovernmentLearn MoreBridging the Divide on Firearm PolicyBridging the Divide on Firearm Policy — February 2026 Policy Proposals

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling in US v. Hemani, a case with implications for the Second Amendment rights of cannabis users. On this episode of Policy Outsider, Rockefeller Institute resident cannabis policy expert Heather Trela explains how the justices ruled and what questions remain unanswered for drug-using firearm owners.GuestsHeather Trela, Director of Operations and Fellow, Rockefeller Institute of GovernmentLearn MoreGuns, Ganja, and Gavels—Five Things to Watch for in the Supreme Court’s US v Hemani Oral ArgumentsCircuit Breaker—Judicial Disconnect on Disarming Cannabis Users

Freshman lawmaker Gabriella Romero is an assemblymember for New York State's 109th Assembly District, which covers the city of Albany, New Scotland, and parts of Guilderland. In a new installment of our "Freshmen Perspectives" series, Rockefeller Institute President Bob Megna interviews the assemblymember about her first-term accomplishments, what she hopes to get done in subsequent terms, and how her time as a public defender and a Common Councilmember for the city of Albany shapes how she approaches being a state lawmaker.GuestsHonorable Gabriella A. Romero, New York State Assemblymember, Assembly District 109Robert Megna, President, Rockefeller Institute of Government

On this episode of Policy Outsider, guests Mila Gascó-Hernandez and Kevin De Liban explore the existing and future roles of AI in government systems and the risks and opportunities associated with increased integration of these new tools. GuestsMila Gascó-Hernandez, Research Director, Center for Technology in Government and Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration and Policy, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, University at AlbanyKevin De Liban, Founder, Techtonic Justice