The Systems Change Lab is a team of multi-disciplinary research scientists, associates, and staff who address complex societal problems through data collection and analysis, policy research, training/education, facilitative practices, and systems change methodologies, including collective impact.
Housed at the Social Science Research Center (SSRC), SCL projects use the multifaceted resources of the SSRC, such as the Survey Research Laboratory, to address issues of early childhood, structural inequities, public health, education, and other topics.
The SSRC reports to both the Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine and the Office of Research and Economic Development on MSU’s campus.
Faculty, Staff, and Student Workers
Heather Hanna
Director, Systems Change Lab
Associate Research Professor
Dr. Hanna is the director of the Systems Change Lab (SCL). She facilitates funder and partner relations; administers project budgets; manages personnel; and oversees project design and implementation, including creation of project goals and timelines.
Connie Baird-Thomas
Associate Director of SSRC Policy Studies and Evaluation and Research Group (ERG)
Dr. Baird-Thomas contributes to the SCL in the role of a lead qualitative and quantitative researcher. Dr. Baird-Thomas shares her experience by overseeing specific grant workgroup projects and deliverables and contributing to the creation and design of grant activities.
Laure Bell
Project Coordinator
Laure Bell supports the efforts of the SCL through research activities and a variety of communication endeavors. These efforts include data visualization, social media and website content management, digital newsletter creation, report writing, material dissemination, and more.
Emily Jennings
Undergraduate Student Employee
Emily Jennings is an undergraduate student at Mississippi State University. She supports the SCL with research and authentication of resources for early childhood resource maps.
John S. McCown
Research Associate III
John McCown supports the grant activities of the SCL in the areas of data science. He leads and contributes to efforts designing research tools and analyzing and managing collected data.
R’riuna Moore
Undergraduate Student Employee
R’riuna Moore is an undergraduate student at Mississippi State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biological Sciences with a Pre-Medicine concentration. She supports the SCL with research and communications efforts.
Callie Poole
Project Manager
Callie Poole supports the SCL director through coordinating internal and external project meetings and overseeing deliverables. Callie also contributes through qualitative and quantitative research activities, report writing, and the facilitation of systems and policy change efforts.
