Alyssa

Alyssa has worked in cognitive linguistics for over a decade, applying techniques of linguistic analysis to political problems, publishing original research, and teaching in both university and community settings. She is President and Principal at Real Reason, a nonprofit research organization in Oakland, CA, that works closely with partner organizations to identify the most innovative, constructive, and viable ways of reasoning and communicating about particularly challenging issues, from abortion to the role of government to our society's growing inequality.

At Real Reason, Alyssa has guided analysis on issues across a wide range of policy areas, including reproductive rights, health, and justice; human rights; sexuality education; and public health. Under her direction, Real Reason's contributions in these areas have benefited a large community of advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Berkeley Media Studies Group, and the Reproductive Health Technologies Project.

Alyssa holds an M.A. in Linguistics from Gallaudet University, a B.A. in Psychology from Wesleyan University, and has completed work toward a Ph.D. in Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley.