Independent Policy Research
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has
Our Mission
The NextGen Research Incubator gives teens the chance to design and lead their own policy research projects on issues like affordable housing, zoning reform, economic inequality, and mental health equity. Over the course of the program, they uncovered how outdated laws, rising costs, and systemic barriers deepen injustice, and they proposed real solutions from smarter zoning and social housing to community-based care and patient-first reforms. More than a research experience, the Incubator equips young people with the tools and confidence to challenge broken systems and step into leadership as true agents of change.
Our Work
In July 2025, the Teen Think Tank Academy’s NextGen Incubator – Independent Policy Researchers came together for a live webinar and panel discussion to present their policy frameworks. Each teen shared the results of an independent investigation into a public policy issue they were most passionate about, ranging from mental health equity to other pressing social, economic, and legal challenges. We are deeply grateful to everyone who tuned in to the broadcast and to all who continue to champion our mission of empowering young people to shape a more just and equitable future. Most of all, we gathered to celebrate the passion, commitment, and leadership of these remarkable young changemakers.
NexGen Incubator Research Abstracts
The Arlington, VA Affordable Housing Crisis: A Case Study
Leonardo Sandoli - Economic Equality Researcher
Leo’s study investigates the structural barriers to affordable housing in Arlington, Virginia, as a case study for broader national housing inequities. The research highlights how restrictive single-family zoning laws, inefficient permitting processes, and the finite supply of land converge to constrain housing development, inflate costs, and perpetuate socio-economic inequality. Single-family zoning, once central to the cultural image of the “American dream,” now restricts density, sustains segregation, and limits opportunities for diverse housing. Key consequences include reduced affordability, uneven community development, and reinforcement of exclusionary practices such as NIMBYism.
To address these challenges, the study proposes four interrelated policy reforms: (1) eliminating single-family zoning to enable construction of duplexes, triplexes, and apartments; (2) implementing bundled zoning reforms to encourage mixed housing types within neighborhoods; (3) maximizing population density near public transit to enhance affordability and access to employment; and (4) reducing parking mandates to repurpose land for housing development. Findings underscore that housing inequities are not the result of market forces alone but are structurally embedded in land-use policies. Meaningful reform, therefore, requires reimagining zoning frameworks to promote inclusivity, sustainability, and affordability across urban and suburban contexts.
About the Author: Leo Sandoli is a student at Yorktown High School (Class of 2027), where he maintains a 3.9 GPA. His academic interests include public policy, economics, and urban development. Leo’s dedication to addressing systemic inequality has earned him a fellowship in the Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness Institute for Citizens & Scholars. You can connect with Leo on LinkedIn to learn more about his research.
Breaking the Cycle: Housing, Education, and Employment Barriers to Economic Equality
Toshani Jaladi - Economic Equality Researcher
Toshani explores the interrelated barriers of housing, education, and employment in perpetuating cycles of inequality in the United States. Focusing on the experiences of low-income families, the research highlights how unstable housing conditions negatively impact educational outcomes, which in turn restrict employment opportunities and long-term economic mobility. Regulatory barriers, rising costs of living, and inequitable access to quality schools are shown to reinforce one another, limiting upward mobility for vulnerable populations. The study emphasizes the importance of cross-sector solutions, including integrated housing and education policies, workforce development programs, and targeted social supports. By framing housing insecurity not as an isolated issue but as a driver of multi-dimensional inequity, this research underscores the need for coordinated policy interventions that disrupt systemic cycles of poverty.
About the Author: Toshani Jaladi participated in the NextGen Research Incubator with a focus on the intersection of housing, education, and employment inequality. Her research highlighted the cyclical barriers faced by low-income families and proposed integrated, cross-sector solutions. Toshani is particularly interested in exploring how public policy can disrupt systemic poverty and create pathways to social mobility. You can learn more about Toshani’s academic and research interests by connecting with them on LinkedIn.
Single-Family Zoning and its Impact on the Affordable Housing Crisis
Savonne Johnson - Economic Equality Researcher
Savonne’s research investigates the impact of single-family zoning on the U.S. affordable housing crisis. By limiting residential development to one home per parcel of land, single-family zoning significantly reduces housing supply, raises costs, and reinforces patterns of segregation and economic inequality. Using policy analysis and contemporary scholarship, the study identifies the ways in which restrictive zoning contributes to sustainability challenges and entrenches NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) resistance to change. Proposed reforms include eliminating single-family zoning, adopting bundled zoning practices to allow for mixed housing types, promoting transit-oriented development to reduce commuting burdens, and reducing off-site parking mandates to free land for residential use. Findings support the argument that housing affordability cannot be achieved without structural reforms to zoning policies. This work contributes to ongoing policy debates by offering evidence-based recommendations to expand equitable access to housing.
About the Author: Savonne Johnson is a student at Linden (NJ) High School (Class of 2026) with a 4.0. Savonne brings a passion for civic engagement and leadership, with particular interests in housing policy, sustainability, and community equity.
Housing Injutice in America: Why Low Income Families Struggle with Housing Costs
Grace Park - Economic Equality Researcher
Grace analyzes the structural drivers of housing injustice for low-income families in the United States. The research demonstrates that demand for housing has dramatically outpaced supply, leading to rising rents and home prices that far exceed wage growth. Regulatory barriers—including exclusionary zoning, minimum lot sizes, height restrictions, and lengthy permitting processes—further constrain housing development, intensifying affordability challenges. Additional pressures, such as rising mortgage rates, construction costs, and insurance premiums, compound financial burdens for families earning below $80,375 annually. Proposed solutions include federal investment in social housing, expansion of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and adoption of tax incentives to encourage private development in distressed neighborhoods. By situating housing costs within broader economic and policy contexts, this research highlights the urgent need for structural reforms that expand supply, stabilize rents, and promote equitable access to housing.
About the Author: Seonghyeon “Grace” Park is a student at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan (Class of 2026) with a 3.35 GPA. Grace’s academic interests include economics, social policy, and advocacy for underrepresented communities. She also has hands-on professional experience, serving as an assistant at Advanced Dental Anesthesia Services LLC, and is passionate about blending her academic studies with real-world application. To learn more about Grace and her research interests, connect with her on LinkedIn.
The Economic Impediments to Mental Health Equity
Meher Dua - Mental Health Equity Researcher
This research examines the systemic impediments to mental health equity in the United States, focusing on three primary barriers: underfunding of services, insurance limitations, and pharmaceutical stagnation. Chronic underinvestment has produced widespread “mental health deserts,” particularly in rural areas, where counselor-to-patient ratios are far above recommended standards. Insurance barriers persist despite parity laws, with denial rates for intensive treatment exceeding 90% and limited coverage forcing families into crisis care as a first point of access. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical research and development in psychiatry lags significantly behind other fields, leaving patients reliant on outdated medications with severe side effects. Proposed solutions include stepped-care models to expand community-based treatment, stronger enforcement of parity laws, subsidized telespsychiatry to reduce geographic inequities, and patient-led research priorities to improve drug development. The study concludes that achieving mental health equity requires structural reforms grounded in accountability, investment, and patient-centered approaches.
You can read Meher’s complete policy research framework on Medium.com or download a PDF copy here.
About the Author: Meher Dua is a student at Bridgewater-Raritan High School (Class of 2027) with a 4.37 GPA. Outside the classroom, Meher is a dedicated athlete, competing in cross country and track & field, and she is also a practitioner of Kathak dance, a classical Indian art form. Her blend of academic focus, athletic discipline, and cultural expression informs her vision of a future career at the intersection of healthcare and policy. If you would like to learn more about Meher and her research interests, please connect with her on LinkedIn.
