Rockefeller CLPS Interns to Study Rural COVID Communication

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 6, 2021) — Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy undergraduate students Kira Brainard and Joseph Creamer will spend the Fall 2021 semester interning with the Center for Law & Policy Solutions (CLPS). The pair is teaming up with students from SUNY Empire State College and Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) to study how COVID-19 information was communicated to rural communities by the State of New York during the pandemic.

Housed at the Rockefeller Institute of Government (RIG), the Center for Law & Policy Solutions is a collaboration among RIG, UAlbany’s Rockefeller College, SUNY Empire State College, HVCC, Albany Law School, and University at Buffalo School of Law. Researchers at CLPS investigate how decisions of law and policy affect ordinary people and communities to help policymakers, community organizers, and the public develop practical solutions to pressing public policy issues.

Each semester, the Center for Law & Policy Solutions Internship Program gives students hands-on exposure to policy analysis and advocacy. Interns work closely with the CLPS internship program director to collect and analyze data and then write research deliverables such as blogs and policy briefs. At the end of the semester, the CLPS research interns will present their findings to policymakers, researchers, and the public in a formal report and presentation.

About Rockefeller College’s Fall 2021 CLPS Research Interns:

Kira Brainard is majoring in political science at the University at Albany. She is a member of the Presidential Honors Society and is the social media chair for Project Sunshine at UAlbany. Recently, Kira interned for New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal where she dealt with constituent concerns and aided with unemployment, testing, and vaccine issues related to COVID-19. After completing her undergraduate degree, Kira hopes to attend law school and potentially continue with policy research.

Joseph “Joey” Creamer is majoring in political science and public administration at the University at Albany. On campus, Creamer served as the vice president of Generation Vote at UAlbany, an organization which promotes civic engagement. Most recently, he interned for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, aiding staff across the state on various projects. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, Creamer’s goal is to pursue a master’s in public administration and continue his career in public service.

Click here to learn more about the Center for Law & Policy Solutions internship.