Recently, PPA was happy to welcome new Rackham Intern, Ciera Hammond! Hammond is a Ph.D. candidate in political science at the University of Michigan, where she specializes in American politics, political communication, and political psychology. Before graduate school, she earned her B.A. in political science from California State University, San Bernardino. During her undergraduate career, she was active in student leadership, serving as president of the University Honors Program and as a member of the California State Student Association Board of Directors. Below you will learn all about this fantastic new member of our team.
When did you become interested in research and public policy?
I became interested in public policy at a very young age. My dad was a U.S. history and government teacher, and policy discussions were a daily staple at our dinner table. Through these conversations, I learned how policy impacts the day-to-day functioning of our lives and how important it is to stay informed. My interest in research came much later, during my first year of college. I was fascinated by young people’s enthusiasm for Bernie Sanders during his campaign. When I mentioned this to my honors program advisor, he encouraged me to apply for a fellowship that would allow me to really dig into this question. That first research project hooked me, and I’ve been passionate about research ever since.
What policy areas are you most interested in? Or what kind of projects or topics do you hope to work on in evaluation?
I’m most interested in education policy, particularly higher education. I’m especially passionate about dual enrollment programs, having benefited from one myself in high school. I see dual enrollment as an innovative approach to the student loan crisis. Rather than waiting for uncertain loan forgiveness policies, dual enrollment allows students to earn college credits while still in high school at no cost to them. While not a perfect solution, reducing the total loans needed for an undergraduate degree gives students a stronger foundation for both professional and financial success. This is the kind of practical, preventative policy solution I hope to evaluate and expand through my work.
One thing interesting in your studies is that you look at identities (like being a sport fan) and how they shape opinion and perceptions. Can you tell me about this fascinating perspective? What was something surprising you found?
Absolutely! As someone who grew up playing sports and still watches them today, I’ve always been fascinated by sports’ unique capacity to bring people together. My research examines how sports fandom can act as a superordinate identity that temporarily overrides partisan considerations. When people encounter political messaging while watching sports, their partisan defenses may be lowered, allowing them to process counter-attitudinal arguments more openly. The most surprising finding was that NFL social justice messaging actually reduced partisan animosity among Republicans rather than triggering the expected backlash. When Republicans were exposed to direct social justice messaging from the NFL, their hostility toward Democrats decreased—completely contradicting my hypothesis and current literature about corporate activism. This suggests that trusted non-political institutions like the NFL can potentially bypass the motivated reasoning typically triggered in inherently political environments. This relaxed mindset people have while watching sports may reduce the usual defensive reactions to political messaging. This has exciting implications for reducing polarization, as non-political institutions might serve as valuable bridges across the political aisle, as long as they maintain their authenticity and credibility.
How did you come to work at PPA?
I came to work at PPA because I was looking for new ways to apply what I had learned throughout my PhD program. I had begun to feel that using my skillset solely for my own niche research interests was limiting my potential impact. When I came across the internship posting, I was excited about two things: first, the opportunity to work with a team of like-minded individuals (graduate school can be isolating at times), and second, the chance to apply my skills to policy areas where research has the capacity to make a real difference in people’s day-to-day lives. PPA offered exactly what I was looking for: collaborative work on meaningful policy questions.
Your bio lists experience as a teacher. Can you tell us more about being in front of a classroom? How has that influenced you as a researcher?
I absolutely love teaching. The ability to mentor students and help shape the minds of future generations is immensely rewarding. As an introvert, being in front of a class for three hours can be draining, but it’s always worth it. I’m intentional about making my classroom a place students look forward to being— creating an environment where they feel engaged and genuinely enjoy learning. Teaching has influenced me as a researcher by constantly reminding me that my audience extends beyond other academics. When you’re explaining complex concepts to undergraduates, you learn to make rigorous work accessible without sacrificing its integrity. This has pushed me to write clearer, more digestible research that can reach people from all academic backgrounds. Teaching forces you to extract what really matters and communicate it effectively.
What are your hopes or long-term goals after this internship?
Through this internship, I hope to contribute meaningful work to the education policy space that creates tangible impact. My long-term goal is to work in university administration, focusing on maximizing the positive impact universities can have on their surrounding communities. I want to bridge the gap between universities and the public—helping people who may never attend these institutions understand their value and see how university research directly improves everyone’s daily lives.
What do you enjoy doing outside work and school?
I have an abundance of things I enjoy outside of work and school! I believe balance is essential, and that having hobbies helps me feel inspired and refreshed when work can be intense. I love to cook and bake; I got into sourdough a little over a year ago and my life hasn’t been the same since. As a huge sports fan, I follow the Green Bay Packers, L.A. Kings, and of course, the Michigan Wolverines. I also stay active by lifting weights and playing hockey. I also enjoy reading, playing guitar, and spending time with loved ones.
Welcome to the team Ciera!