Ranen Miao

Ranen is from Edison, New Jersey, and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with majors in political science, sociology, and women, gender, and sexuality studies. In college, he worked on issues of hunger, socioeconomic equity, and racial justice as student body president by founding a Food Security Fund, securing university investments in menstrual products and mental health resources, and hosting annual food drives for mutual aid networks in St. Louis. He's also done research with the Social Policy Institute on universal school meals, the Child Tax Credit, and evictions during COVID-19. Prior to joining Emerson, Ranen worked as a public interest paralegal; interned on the Hill, at the EEOC, and for the ACLU; and co-founded OutVote, an organization building a culture of civic engagement in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Field placement: Government of the District of Columbia Office of Planning, Food Policy Division

Washington, D.C.

Ranen's work at the DC Office of Planning is focused on examining the barriers which cause food insecurity amongst Washington, D.C.'s LGBTQIA+ community, and producing recommendations for the Mayor's office to address these issues. His goal is to uplift the needs of multiply marginalized people through a survey, focus group, and interviews with community members, service providers, and food justice activists.