Bridging Theory, Research, & Real-World Policy
Where rigorous policy theory meets legislative practice—my mission is to empower congressional staff and policy professionals to deliver superior analysis under pressure. My approach transforms proven frameworks into practical tools that accelerate your capacity to tackle complex policy challenges.
A Unique Perspective
Drawing on over two decades of government consulting and executive decision support—topped off with deep academic expertise—my unique approach rests on a flexible analytical framework that bridges theory, research, and practice. The realities of legislative work—where time is scarce, and stakes are high—create unique challenges for dedicated professionals. And that’s where I can assist.
I help turn passion for public service into impactful policy analysis, research, and communications. In less time.
The SPARC Advantage
My flagship Strategic Policy Analysis, Research, and Communications (SPARC) program delivers:
- Efficient Analysis: Transform days or weeks of work into hours—without sacrificing quality
- Critical Thinking: Develop confidence to tackle novel policy challenges
- Team Enhancement: Build shared analytical approaches that improve office-wide communications and results
- Practical Tools: Apply proven frameworks and tools that adapt to your specific needs
Services
- SPARC Course: My signature 7-week program designed for demanding, unpredictable legislative schedules
- Custom Training: Private sessions tailored to your office’s sensitive policy priorities
- Strategic Consulting: Specialized support for policy teams and professional organizations
A Pragmatic Approach
Real-world policy challenges rarely fit neatly into theoretical boxes—but each one is not entirely unique, either. My framework highlights common patterns to provide structure while remaining flexible. Using it helps you to ask the right questions, gather the right information, and remain alert to unique aspects of each policy issue.
This balanced approach comes from a unique perspective: combining deep academic research with extensive practical experience. I understand both the theoretical foundations that shape policy and the practical pressures of delivering results within tight deadlines.
About Dr. Dana Dolan
As a published academic in public policy processes and former professional assisting government decision making, I bring a distinctive blend of academic rigor and real-world experience to policy analysis. Beyond leading SPARC, I teach at prestigious graduate schools like George Mason University’s Schar School and George Washington University’s Elliott School, while maintaining an active research agenda. My research focuses on refining and applying policy process theories and concepts, while my teaching draws on qualitative case studies from U.S. and international settings.
Publications
New to my research? Some of my more popular publications are:
- Dolan, Dana A., and Sonja Blum. 2023. “The Beating Heart of the MSF: Coupling as a Process.” In The Modern Guide to the Multiple Streams Framework, eds. N. Zahariadis, N. Herweg, R. Zohlnhöfer, and E. Petridou. Edward Elgar. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781802209822.00013
- Westman, Linda, James Patterson, Rachel Macrorie, Christopher J. Orr, Catherine M. Ashcraft, Vanesa Castán Broto, Dana Dolan, et al. 2022. “Compound Urban Crises.” Ambio: 1402–15. http://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-021-01697-6
- Dolan, Dana A. 2021. “Multiple Partial Couplings in the Multiple Streams Framework: The Case of Extreme Weather and Climate Change Adaptation.” Policy Studies Journal 49(1): 164–89. http://doi.org/10.1111/psj.12341
- Wedel, Janine R., Nazia Hussain, and Dana A. Dolan. 2017. Political Rigging: A Primer on Political Capture and Influence in the 21st Century. Washington, D.C.: Oxfam America. Research Backgrounder. https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/research-publications/political-rigging/
- Dolan, Dana A, Genevieve B Soule, Jill Greeney, and Jason Morris. 2010. “Warming Up to Climate Action – A Survey of GHG Mitigation through Building Energy Efficiency in City Climate Action Plans.” Carbon and Climate Law Review (2/2010): 161–72. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24323628
- Nidiffer, Kenneth E., and Dana Dolan. 2005. “Evolving Distributed Project Management.” IEEE Software 22(5): 63–72. http://doi.org/10.1109/MS.2005.120
For more, visit my profile pages on Google Scholar, ResearchGate, or Academia.edu.
Courses & More - What Can You Learn With Me?
I teach public policy and qualitative methods courses to graduate students, advanced undergraduates, and career professionals. My teaching style emphasizes critical thinking in a collaborative learning environment. Conversations with curious minds can inspire and enlighten, and we the most important policy issues of the day. People often ask, how do I navigate political controversies and partisan divides? By grounding discussions in theory, my approach encourages diverse audiences to develop alternative perspectives. This habit evolves naturally from course lessons and examples, and hopefully sticks with people long after the course ends.
Strategic Policy Analysis, Research, & Communications (SPARC)
What distinguishes high-performing legislative offices? Staff who consistently deliver superior analysis under tight deadlines. The SPARC Program builds policy capacity and accelerates careers on Capitol Hill and beyond.
The heart of the program is a 7-week SPARC Course that transforms proven policy theory into practical tools for legislative work. Early career staff build confidence to excel in high-pressure environments, while experienced professionals report turning days of analysis into hours—with superior results. The shared analytical approach enhances team-wide communication and effectiveness.
The course offers flexible participation that respects congressional schedules and discretion. SPARC also provides private training and consulting services tailored to office needs.
Join the waitlist for the inaugural SPARC Course launching in 2025.
Public Policy Processes
How does a policy idea’s time come? What moves it on to the policy agenda for serious consideration, and on to the decision agenda where legislators agree to adopt it (or not)? We explore this question in depth in PUAD540, a required course in the public administration graduate program at GMU’s Schar School for Policy and Government.
Students use Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework to analyze current policy issues from the perspective of theory, develop their own policy analysis along the way, and write a detailed policy brief. In addition, they collaborate in teams to understand and apply alternative policy process perspectives, such as Policy Design.
Link: Dana Dolan @ GMU’s Schar School for Policy and Government.
Qualitative Methods
Qualitative methods is a big tent where many variations reside. The George Washington University (GW) Elliott School of International Affairs graduate students and others who take my IAFF6118 course learn to appreciate this diversity practically and theoretically.
Students gain practical, hands-on experience with interviewing, observing, and document analysis working in collaborative teams. They put this knowledge into theoretical perspective by discussing how “Big Q” qualitative research differs from “small q” qual and quantitative research to better understand the messy, uncertain, evolving reality of our complex world.
I’m honored to be invited once again to present a 7-week version of this course to visiting scholars from Kazakhstan, in collaboration with the Bolashak International Scholarship Program and the GW School of Business.
Link: Dana Dolan @ GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs
What Do Others Say?
Contact Me
I look forward to hearing from you! Use the form to email me (please allow 1 to 2 working days for a reply). Alternatively, you can text or call me at 202-480-9766.
