Hope McMahan is currently a graduate student at the Graduate School of Social Work at Bryn Mawr College. Their primary research focus revolves around the development, implementation, and assessment of non-morally based substance use prevention models.

Having delved into past substance use models stemming from the Drug-Free Schools Act of 1989, as well as the moralization of drug use spanning over the last five decades, including campaigns like "Just Say No" and D.A.R.E., Hope is dedicated to examining and redefining conventional approaches to substance use prevention.

The core objective of Hope's research is to formulate effective evaluation methods for substance use prevention models that offer flexibility to address the specific risk and protective factors unique to individual schools. They provide up-to-date, evidence-backed research on substance use trends among young adults, ensuring the interventions remain relevant and impactful.

Hope's commitment to this research extends into their personal life, as they are someone in long-term healthy recovery. This personal experience not only fuels their passion for the subject but also adds a valuable perspective to their work with students in the classroom.