jonathan hack is Director of Content & Strategy for the Justice, Health, and Democracy Impact Initiative (JHD). The JHD is an integrative and responsive model that unites scholars, practitioners, and policy-makers to co-design policy guidance focused on the intersecting problems of public trust, health equity, justice, democratic participation, and political economy, in the U.S. and around the globe. Through JHD, academic experts work directly with local leaders and practitioners in a range of professional contexts to clarify overarching policy needs and objectives anchored in ethical principles, and to develop practical approaches to a new social contract that improves people’s lives. As Director of Content & Strategy, jon is a key member of the JHD leadership team, setting research agendas, broadly overseeing JHD work streams, and managing the network of scholars, practitioners, and partners.

Prior to joining the Center, jon held various positions in the higher education think-space. Most recently, he served as a faculty member at Lehigh University, teaching courses on American politics and constitutional law. jon holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from The George Washington University with a focus on judicial decision-making and statistical methodology. His research explores how institutional design and co-branch interactions constrain judicial behavior, with a particular interest in why differences emerge among elected and appointed judiciaries. 

jon received semikha (rabbinical ordination) in 2013. When not thinking about issues related to justice, health, and democracy, jon enjoys finding great places to have conversations over coffee, cycling, and other hobbies.