Critical thinking, expert research, rigorous analysis, leading to result-oriented solutions.
Who We Are
| Patti Brown, a principal in the Iowa Policy Institute, holds a Master of Science degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University, with a minor in political science, and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa. She has worked in medical, mental health and hospice social work settings with patients of all age groups giving her a broad background in health care issues. In addition she has been on the faculty of the Broadlawns Family Practice Center as the coordinator of Behavioral Science and she has completed an interdisciplinary post-graduate fellowship in geriatric studies through the University of Iowa College of Medicine. In addition she has also worked as a staff writer, correspondent and columnist for several publications, including The Des Moines Register and The Catholic Mirror covering business, health care, and the religion beat. She has done extensive academic research in media content analysis, federal immigration policy, Iowa's renewable energy industry and maternal-child health. |
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| Brinn Shjegstad, PhD, holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science, a Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences, and a Certificate in Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She received her doctorate from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Iowa State University. She has experience in focus group interviewing, program evaluation, survey research, data management, data/statistical analysis, research methods, and legislative research. She has done research in academic, non-profit, legislative, and state government settings. Brinn’s academic research experiences have focused on the impact of public policy on the well-being of low-income children and families, particularly welfare, child care, and early intervention policies. Additionally, her research interests include how public policy impacts all families, regardless of socioeconomic status and how societal and economic changes impact marriage, family formation, and family dynamics. Brinn has taught child and family policy at Iowa State University and has presented her research at state and national conferences. Her dissertation is titled "Accessing and affording child care and low-income mothers’ employment over time: An ecological approach." |  |
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