Debra Brucker

Debra Brucker is a Research Professor at the University of New Hampshire, affiliated with the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (StatsRRTC) and the Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training (ARRT) program. Her work focuses on disability policy, food security, employment, and Long COVID, supported by grants from the USDA and NIDILRR.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Resource Planning/Dev, Rutgers University
• M.A. in Public Administration, University of Delaware
• B.A. in Psychology, University of Delaware
• B.A. in Criminal Justice/Safety, University of Delaware

Dr. Brucker’s research centers on the economic and social well-being of people with disabilities. Her interests include food assistance programs, disability employment, affordable housing, and the impact of public policy on vulnerable populations. She employs applied policy research methods to analyze national datasets and inform social policy.

Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on food security, employment dynamics during the pandemic, mental health in LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities, and structural barriers to flexible work. These works span public health, disability studies, labor economics, and social policy, demonstrating interdisciplinary rigor and real-world policy relevance.

Scientific Awards:

• Elected Member, National Academy of Social Insurance

Dr. Brucker has secured significant research funding, serving as Principal Investigator on a USDA-funded project to improve food security measurement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and as Co-PI on a NIDILRR grant exploring Long COVID's impact on employment and living conditions for people with disabilities. While no students are listed, her leadership in large-scale research initiatives underscores her role as a mentor and team leader in rehabilitation and disability research.

She is affiliated with major research centers at UNH, including the StatsRRTC and ARRT, which focus on employment, disability statistics, and rehabilitation training. These centers support national data collection, policy analysis, and capacity building in disability research.