Georgia College Student Brings Solar Research to Congress

Emily Wright advocates for renewable energy policy on Capitol Hill

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:51am

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Emily Wright, a senior at Georgia College, traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with congressional staff and advocate for her research on solar energy policy. Wright was selected as a scholar by the Council on Undergraduate Research and used the opportunity to share her findings on the Biden administration's $7 billion 'Solar for All' program, which faces potential cancellation under the 'One Big Beautiful Bill'.

Why it matters

Wright's visit to Capitol Hill highlights the growing role of undergraduate research in informing national policy debates. As Congress considers the future of renewable energy initiatives, Wright's firsthand experience and expertise provide a valuable student perspective on an issue that impacts communities across the country.

The details

During her time in Washington, Wright attended workshops organized by the Scholars Strategy Network to learn how to effectively present her research to policymakers. She then met with staff from the offices of Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, both Democrats from Georgia, as well as Representative Austin Scott, a Republican also from Georgia. Wright's meetings came as the Trump administration was briefing lawmakers on the ongoing conflict in Iran, adding a sense of historic significance to her advocacy efforts.

  • Wright traveled to Washington, D.C. in March 2026.
  • The Biden administration's 'Solar for All' program, which is the focus of Wright's research, was passed in a previous legislative session.

The players

Emily Wright

A senior at Georgia College who was selected as a scholar by the Council on Undergraduate Research to advocate for her research on solar energy policy in Washington, D.C.

Council on Undergraduate Research

An organization that collaborates with 700 institutions and 13,000 individuals to offer professional growth and mentorship to students beyond the classroom.

Scholars Strategy Network

An organization that provided workshops to help students like Wright learn how to effectively share their research with policymakers.

Jon Ossoff

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Georgia who met with Wright during her visit to Capitol Hill.

Raphael Warnock

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Georgia who met with Wright during her visit to Capitol Hill.

Austin Scott

A Republican U.S. Representative from Georgia who met with Wright during her visit to Capitol Hill.

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What they’re saying

“At its core, this program is about research and is about encouraging students to do research and to make their research, use their research to impact policy and to make a difference.”

— Emily Wright, Senior, Georgia College

“These workshops teach participants concrete skills for sharing their research in the public policy process or with the media. Each workshop pairs presentations of content by SSN staff with interactive elements that help scholars learn and apply the skillset.”

— Dominik Doemer, Communications Director, Scholars Strategy Network

“I think it's definitely a bipartisan issue, and I think that he really saw past maybe some of the preconceptions when you hear solar energy and renewable energy, that it's kind of like a climate issue or a green issue. And I felt like that really spoke to him, and he was able to see those benefits, like the true inherent benefits of that kind of policy, and the importance of supporting it, with both Republicans and Democrats supporting across the aisle.”

— Emily Wright, Senior, Georgia College

What’s next

The future of the 'Solar for All' program that is the focus of Wright's research remains uncertain as Congress considers the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' that could potentially cancel the initiative.

The takeaway

Wright's experience advocating for her solar energy research on Capitol Hill demonstrates the growing influence of undergraduate scholarship in shaping national policy debates. Her bipartisan approach and ability to connect her work to the concerns of lawmakers from both parties highlights the potential for student voices to bridge divides and drive meaningful change.