A dielectric polymer, methods of making the dielectric polymer, and uses thereof (e.g. piezoelectric sensors and/or actuators) are described. The dielectric polymer includes a polymeric matrix (e.g. a copolymers of styrene and acrylonitrile SAN, or a terpolymer of the former with methyl methacrylate MMA-SAN) derived from at least one polymerizable vinyl monomer and an ionic liquid that includes an organic cation and a balancing anion (e.g. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate BMMMPF6). The ionic liquid is compatible with the at least one polymerizable vinyl monomer and the concentration of the ionic liquid in the dielectric polymeric composition ranges from 0.5 wt. % to less than 30 wt. %.