Glow

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San Diego, USA

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Learn Research.

Build with AI.

Drive Real Impact.

GLOW trains the next generation of changemakers in systems thinking, evidence-based research, and AI applied to real public health challenges. In 8 weeks, you’ll go from learning the skills to producing work that real organizations use.

8 Weeks Virtual
Sun 9–10:30 AM & Thu 5–6 PM PT
Up to 25 Students
Free
Apply Now
Every year, thousands of young Americans face a public health crisis that hides in plain sight — a system that severs relationships, denies autonomy, and produces outcomes rivaling those of combat veterans. This summer, our cohort will investigate one such system, map the root causes that drive its outcomes, and build tools that real organizations can use to change it. The specific focus is announced at program launch.

Four skills that change

how you see the world.

Each skill builds on the last. By the end of 8 weeks, you'll think in systems, interrogate evidence, work with real data, and communicate findings to people who make decisions.

Systems Thinking

Learn to see problems as the product of interconnected structures — not isolated failures. You'll build iceberg models, map feedback loops, identify leverage points, and trace root causes through established frameworks.

Feedback Loops, Root Cause Analysis, Leverage Points, Iceberg Model

AI Tools & Data Analysis

Navigate real federal datasets. Build interactive dashboards with actual data. Prototype AI-enabled tools that make invisible patterns visible to decision-makers. Learn data visualization principles that drive action.

Dashboard Design, Federal Datasets, AI Prototyping, Data Visualization

 

Evidence-Based Research

Learn how to read a peer-reviewed study in 30 minutes, evaluate evidence quality, distinguish RCTs from observational studies, design interview protocols, and synthesize findings into actionable analysis.

Literature Review, Evidence Hierarchy, Interview Design, Data Evaluation

Policy Writing & Storytelling

Draft nonpartisan policy briefs and evidence-based appeals that decision-makers actually read. Learn to present trade-offs honestly, frame recommendations for specific audiences, and translate research into language that moves people.

Policy Analysis, Nonpartisan Framing, Stakeholder Mapping, Presentation Skills

One concept per session.

Every session builds something real.

16 sessions across 8 weeks. Two per week: Sundays for deep learning, Thursdays for hands-on building. Each session teaches one core concept and immediately applies it to the problem.

Phase I: See the System
Before you can solve a problem, you need to feel it and see it as a system. You'll hear from people with lived experience, build an iceberg model of the problem, map the feedback loops that produce outcomes, and trace root causes through established frameworks.
Weeks 1 - 2
Jun 23 – Jul 2
Phase II: Investigate the Evidence
Now that you see the system, learn to interrogate it with evidence. You'll evaluate research quality, navigate real federal datasets, map stakeholders by power and interest, and design interview protocols for practitioners in the field.
Weeks 3 - 4
Jul 7 – Jul 16
Phase III: Build Original Work
Move from understanding to producing. You'll identify leverage points, prototype and test deliverables with real users, write nonpartisan policy recommendations, and receive a formal mid-program quality checkpoint from faculty and peers.
Weeks 5-6
Jul 21 – Jul 30
Phase IV: Ship & Present
Three deliverables become one integrated story. You'll learn grant-writing fundamentals, polish your work to professional standards, and present to an invited audience of nonprofit leaders, policy advocates, and community partners. Your work enters the real world.
Weeks 7–8
Aug 4 – Aug 16
Jun 23 – Jul 2
Weeks 1–2
Phase I: See the System
Before you can solve a problem, you need to feel it and see it as a system. You'll hear from people with lived experience, build an iceberg model of the problem, map the feedback loops that produce outcomes, and trace root causes through established frameworks.
Jul 7 – Jul 16
Weeks 3–4
Phase II: Investigate the Evidence
Now that you see the system, learn to interrogate it with evidence. You'll evaluate research quality, navigate real federal datasets, map stakeholders by power and interest, and design interview protocols for practitioners in the field.
Jul 21 – Jul 30
Weeks 5–6
Phase III: Build Original Work
Move from understanding to producing. You'll identify leverage points, prototype and test deliverables with real users, write nonpartisan policy recommendations, and receive a formal mid-program quality checkpoint from faculty and peers.
Aug 4 – Aug 16
Weeks 7–8
Phase IV: Ship & Present
Three deliverables become one integrated story. You'll learn grant-writing fundamentals, polish your work to professional standards, and present to an invited audience of nonprofit leaders, policy advocates, and community partners. Your work enters the real world.

Three deliverables. All real.

All used by real organizations.

These aren't school projects. They're board-ready assets designed for actual nonprofit partners, advocates, and decision-makers.

Evidence-Based Research Proposal

A structured research proposal with a clear problem statement, literature review, methodology, and defined outcomes — designed to be submitted for funding or adopted by a partner organization.

Nonpartisan Policy Brief

Translating the research into policy options with trade-offs and actionable recommendations, grounded in peer-reviewed evidence and formatted for advocates and decision-makers.

AI-Enabled Impact Dashboard

Built from the research findings, an interactive visualization tracking key indicators with real data — making patterns visible that the system currently hides.

The goal isn’t to study a problem from the outside. It’s to produce tools that the people closest to the problem can actually use.

— GLOW Program Philosophy

We're looking for curiosity,

not credentials.

No prior research experience required. We select for drive, intellectual curiosity, and the desire to use your skills for something that matters.

High school & college students

who want rigorous research training applied to real problems

Youth who want to make an impact

and are ready to commit 8 weeks to learning and producing

Youth with lived experience

in the systems we study — your perspective is expertise

Aspiring researchers & mentors

who want to develop skills in systems analysis and policy

Dates

Jun 21 – Aug 16, 2026

8 weeks, 16 sessions. July 4th weekend off.

Schedule

Sundays & Thursdays

Sun 9:00–10:30 AM PT Thu 5:00–6:00 PM PT Plus 3–4 hrs async/week

Format

100% Virtual

Live sessions via Zoom. Async work via Google Classroom and Discord.

Cost

Completely Free

GLOW operates on a volunteer model. No fees, ever.

Faculty

Volunteer Experts

Led by experienced professionals in research, policy, design, and AI.

Certificate

Completion + Co-Authorship

Receive a certificate and be named as co-author on published deliverables.

Ready to build something

that matters?

Applications are open for Summer 2026. No prior experience required —

just the drive to learn and lead.

Ready to build something thatmatters?

Applications are open for Summer 2026. No prior experience required — just the drive to learn and lead.

Apply for Summer 2026

Early Detection is the Best Protection—Pledge Now!

Early detection of breast cancer through regular screenings can save lives. Screenings help find cancer at an early stage when it is most treatable. By taking this pledge, you commit to prioritizing your health and encouraging others to do the same.

I pledge to get screened for breast cancer regularly and to advocate for early detection within my community. By taking this pledge, I commit to raising awareness and supporting efforts to reduce the impact of breast cancer.