Jennifer Robson

Jennifer Robson is an Associate Professor and Program Director at Carleton University’s Faculty of Public and Global Affairs. She holds a BA in Psychology (University of Ottawa), an MA in Political Science, and a PhD in Public Policy (both from Carleton University). Her research focuses on social policies, including family benefits, tax policy, poverty in Canada, wealth inequality, and the financial lives of low-income populations, with a particular emphasis on gender and intersectional analysis.

Her recent work explores the intersection of tax compliance and social benefit access, such as the Canada Learning Bond, and she has collaborated with organizations like Employment and Social Development Canada, the Public Policy Forum, and the Institute for Research on Public Policy. Robson has also contributed to behavioral insights in financial planning and participated in parliamentary committees and advisory groups.

Jennifer Robson’s publications span journals like Canadian Tax Journal, Frontiers in Psychology, and Social Policy and Administration, with recurring themes in public administration, financial capability, and gender disparities. She has received research funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Think Forward Initiative, and the City of Toronto.

• Fellow of the Public Policy Forum
• Royal Society of Canada’s COVID Task Force member
• Advisory Panel on Tax Expenditures (former)

Her work bridges academic research with practical policy design, offering critical insights into social welfare systems and advocating for non-partisan, evidence-based reforms.