Networks, Knowledge Brokers, and the Public Policymaking Process

Matthew Weber (Ph.D., University of Southern California) is Associate Professor of Communication at Rutgers University’s School of Communication & Information. Matthew is a computational social scientist and an expert on media ecosystems, organizational dynamics and the use of Big data in research. His research explores processes of organizational change and adaptation, with a focus on understanding how organizations navigate complex information ecosystems in order to develop evidence-informed policies and policymaking processes. Matthew’s work has been widely published in leading academic journals, as well as in the popular press, and is funded by grants from a number of federal agencies including the National Science Foundation.

Itzhak Yanovitzky  (Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania) is Professor of Communication at Rutgers University’s School of Communication & Information. His program of research explores effective mechanisms for improving the dissemination and implementation of evidence-informed policies and practices and building the capacity of community organizations to communicate effectively about health and wellness issues. Dr. Yanovitzky is an expert in the area of behavior change, public policymaking and translational science, and is a member of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Standing Committee on Advancing Science Communication.