We entered 2021 with a great deal of hope, as COVID-19 vaccines promised a path out of a pandemic that had crippled the economy and produced untold suffering, death, and devastation. Unfortunately, 2021 did not work out as planned. Yet despite the ongoing pandemic, Knology maintained our operations and succeeded in supporting partners and the public with research that advances Knology's mission: practical social science for a better world.

Since Knology's founding, we have committed ourselves to engaging in large scale, multi-dimensional research projects that are embedded in practice. 2021 was no exception. Whether it be through continued relationships with long-term partners (such as PBS NewsHour, the Association of Children's Museums, the American Library Association, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums) or through solidifying newer partnerships with organizations like the National Endowment for Financial Education and Empatico, during the past 12 months, Knology has worked on a wide variety of thought-provoking, practical projects. Some of our standouts for 2021 include "A New History of Investment in Financial Education" and our contributions to PBS NewsHour's "Searching for Justice" series—both of which are discussed below. Moreover, in light of the continued threat posed by COVID-19, throughout 2021, Knology continued to devote attention to this ongoing public health crisis, expanding research on such issues as media coverage of the pandemic, the complexities of testing and case-tracking, and COVID-19's impact on children's museums.

Despite the challenges of the last two years, Knology continues to look towards the future. At our final board meeting of 2021, our Growth Committee presented an expanded vision of how Knology can provide more value to even more partners and collaborators. Our board has since begun assessing Knology's value proposition based on past successes and emerging opportunities. As we look toward 2022, Knology will be investing in growing our publishing enterprise, building out formalized training and capacity building programs, expanding its fundraising opportunities, and working to help companies meet their environmental, social, and governance commitments.

2021 has certainly provided a host of challenges to our local and global communities. Knology is proud to work with our partners to promote social scientific solutions.

– Adam J. Wasserman, J.D., Chair; John Fraser, Ph.D. AIA, President & CEO; Joanna Laursen Brucker, Ed.M., Chief Operating Officer

Critical Thinking features projects where we used diverse perspectives to challenge the status quo and navigate the great social issues of our time.

Inform & Shape Action presents several ways we equipped leaders with social science research for evidence-based decisions and meaningful action.

Embody DEAI showcases several ways our team integrated principles and practices of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.

Strengthen Alliances tells the story of how we invested in people and organizations working toward a common good.

Refine Our Model highlights the ways we cultivated our collaborative philosophy to make our model resilient and replicable.

Financial Stability - Read a summary of Knology's fiscal position at the end of 2021.

Photo credit: Edward Howell on Unsplash