SourceWatch needs your financial support to survive and thrive. If you've found this information on the people, organizations, and issues shaping the public agenda helpful, please make a tax-deductible donation now.

From SourceWatch

Political Research Associates (PRA) is "an independent, nonprofit research center that studies anti-democratic, authoritarian, and other oppressive movements, institutions, and trends. PRA is based on progressive values, and is committed to advancing an open, democratic, and pluralistic society. PRA provides accurate, reliable research and analysis to activists, journalists, educators, policy makers, and the public at large."

Contents 1 History 2 Funding 3 Personnel 3.1 Directors 3.2 Staff 3.3 Advisors (from 2004) [3] 4 Contact 5 Resources and articles 5.1 Related Sourcewatch articles 5.2 References 5.3 External links

History

"Founded in 1981 as Midwest Research in Chicago, PRA has become a leader in research on the Right and right-wing groups. 'What began as Midwest Research in Chicago with three staff has become a widely -respected leader in research and publications on right-wing efforts to limit justice and equality,' said President Jean V. Hardisty, Ph.D., who established the organization."[1]

PRA describes itself as "the premier national organization addressing the full spectrum of the US political Right - from the right-wing in the electoral arena to paramilitary organizations. PRA works to facilitate public understanding of the threat posed to democratic values and principles by the Right in the United States. Through our research and publications and as a national resource and support center for activists, journalists and others, PRA helps to build the movement for progressive social change." Who we are

The PRA magazine is the Public Eye.

PRA is an affiliate of the Policy Action Network and Center for Democratic Renewal.

Funding

The following is a list of grantmaking institutions that funded PRA in 2003: ^[1]

• Common Stream
• Brico Fund
• C.S. Fund
• Chambers Family Fund
• Coydog Foundation
• Ford Foundation
• Funding Exchange
• Gaea Foundation
• Haymarket People's Fund
• Stephen A. and Diane L. Goldberg Foundation
• Albert A. List Foundation
• Morris Family Foundation
• Public Welfare Foundation
• San Francisco Foundation
• Tides Foundation/Underdog Fund
• Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock

Personnel

Accessed August 2007: ^[2]

Directors

• Wendy Volkmann - Chair
• Richard A. Gross
• Heeten Kalan
• Vivien Labaton
• June L. Lorenzo
• Supriya Pillai
• Mohan Sikka
• Carlton W. Veazey
• Alea Woodlee

Staff

• Katherine Hancock Ragsdale - Executive Director
• Tarso Luís Ramos
• Chip Berlet
• Pam Chamberlain
• Abby Scher
• Amy Lessler
• Renee M. Sweeney

Advisors (from 2004) ^[3]

• Rita Arditti
• Ann Baker
• Donna Bivens
• Sara Diamond, Ph.D.
• Fred Goff
• Beni Ivey
• Maya Miller
• Suzanne Pharr
• Skipp Porteous
• John Roberts
• Mab Segrest
• Alice Senturia
• Holly Sklar
• Barbara Simon
• Lucius Walker
• Leah Wise

Contact

Political Research Associates
1310 Broadway, Suite 201
Somerville, MA 02144
Phone: (617) 666-5300
Fax: (617) 666-6622
E-Mail: pra AT igc.org
Web: http://www.publiceye.org

Resources and articles

Related Sourcewatch articles

• Surina Khan - former research analyst
• Nikhil Aziz - former associate director
• Russ Bellant

References

1. ↑ Annual Report 2004, Political Research Associates, accessed August 20, 2007.
2. ↑ People, Political Research Associates, accessed August 20, 2007.
3. ↑ Board of Advisors (archived page), Political Research Associates, accessed August 20, 2007.

External links

• Political Research Associates at NameBase.org. Includes links to names and organizations connected with PRA.
• Political Research Associates Celebrates 20th Anniversary, CommonDreams, October 9, 2001.
• NameBase.org citation on the Quinde Affidavit
• The John Train Salon
• Chip Berlet, History of Public Eye Electronic Forums
• PRA publication: Conspiracy Theories, Demonization, & Scapegoating