Alyssa Scott (she/her), MPP, MPH is an experienced researcher and technical assistance provider in community-engaged and participatory methods. With a background in public health, she is dedicated to these methods as the ultimate upstream approach to supporting communities and taking action to create more equitable systems. She has partnered with students, young adults, practitioners, community-based organizations, and policymakers to do this work. 

 At Child Trends, Alyssa leads and supports projects that center the voices of young people and practitioners. Recently, this work has focused on the education and criminal legal systems. Her expertise includes engaging young people and practitioners in research-practice partnerships to support qualitative data collection, analysis, and measurement development. Alyssa’s work has been funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and National Science Foundation.  

Alyssa focuses on addressing systemic inequities in public health and education. Her work emphasizes the interconnectedness of individual and systemic factors, the importance of centering marginalized voices, and the need for generating actionable knowledge. Whether the goal of a project is to influence policy or change practice, Alyssa believes research and technical assistance need a clear purpose that can lead to meaningful change for a community. 

Alyssa has published her research in peer-reviewed journals including The Qualitative Report and Journal of Offender Rehabilitation. She has presented at the American Education Research Association Convention and American Evaluation Association Conference. 

Alyssa received her Master of Public Policy and a Master of Public Health in maternal and child health from the University of Minnesota. She resides in Minneapolis, MN and enjoys deepening her connections to Minnesota through volunteering and Child Trends projects. 

Featured Projects

Adapted Measure of Math Engagement 

Innovation to Evidence Network  

The Probation Experience Project