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Xi HuangView profile

Assistant Professor

• Immigration Policy
• Urban Development
• Policy Analysis and Evaluation
• +5 more

Xi Huang is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida (UCF), part of the College of Community Innovation and Education. She holds a Ph.D. from the joint public policy program at Georgia State University and Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research focuses on immigration policy, migrant integration, urban development, and policy analysis. She teaches courses in policy process, policy analysis, research methods, and public program evaluation. Dr. Huang’s work bridges urban sociology, criminology, and public policy, with notable projects on human trafficking, regional resilience, and immigrant entrepreneurship. She previously served as a Census Bureau Special Sworn Status researcher at the Atlanta Census Research Data Center (2013–2014). Her recent publications explore topics such as hurricanes’ impact on sex trafficking, urbanicity’s role in homeless services, and immigrant reactions to state policies. Key themes include disaster management, socio-spatial inequality, and policy design for marginalized populations. No specific awards are listed, though her research demonstrates significant contributions to interdisciplinary policy analysis. She advises no listed students but contributes to UCF’s academic mission through teaching and research leadership. Her work often intersects with urban planning, economic development, and social welfare, reflecting her commitment to addressing real-world challenges through evidence-based policy solutions.

Juhyun BaeView profile

Assistant Professor

• Welfare States
• Social Welfare Policy
• Public Opinion Analysis
• +4 more

Juhyun Bae is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). She earned her Ph.D. in Public Affairs from the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Missouri, following a Master's and Bachelor's in Public Administration from Yonsei University (South Korea). Prior to academia, she worked as a project researcher at the Korean Women’s Development Institute (KWDI). Her research focuses on welfare states, social welfare policy, and public opinion, particularly addressing labor market inequality and policy solutions for precarious non-standard workers like app-based gig workers. She emphasizes redesigning social security systems to enhance job security for these vulnerable groups. Teaching experience spans undergraduate and graduate courses at UTRGV and the University of Missouri, including Public Policy Analysis, Research Methods, and Public Administration. She has received strong student feedback for her ability to clarify complex concepts and provide constructive feedback. Her publications explore topics such as basic income policy diffusion, pandemic unemployment assistance impacts, and gig economy labor market dynamics. She holds an Online Teaching Certificate from the University of Missouri and has presented methodological workshops on econometric techniques like TWFE Staggered DID.

Joni S. WilliamsView profile

Associate Professor

• Health Equity
• Social Determinants of Health
• Diabetes
• +5 more

Joni S. Williams, MD, MPH, is an Associate Professor of Medicine and holds dual roles as the Section Chief for Inclusion and Community Outreach and Section Chief for Research in the Department of Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). She also serves as the Milwaukee Community Chair in Health Equity Research and Director of the Center for Advancing Population Science (CAPS). Her research focuses on reducing health inequities through social-medical integration, particularly addressing race, socioeconomic status, and geographic barriers affecting chronic disease outcomes in marginalized communities. She leads the ARCHE team within CAPS, advancing health equity research, clinical trials, and community engagement. Dr. Williams earned her MD from the Medical University of South Carolina (2012) and her MPH in Community Health from Drexel University (1998). She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in health disparities research at the Medical University of South Carolina (2008–2014). Her research interests include health equity, community-based interventions, and addressing social determinants of health. She has secured multiple grants, including NIH R01, R21, and U54 awards, and has authored over 260 publications. She is an active member of the Society of General Internal Medicine’s Health Equity Commission and serves as an associate editor for the Journal of General Internal Medicine and the American Journal of Medicine Open . Dr. Williams is committed to education, mentoring over 50 learners, and has received recognition such as the MCW President’s Inclusive Excellence Award (2023). She collaborates with community partners like the Milwaukee Area Health Education Center and the Greater Galilee Baptist Church to advance health equity initiatives.

• Social Inequalities
• Employment and Labor Market
• Welfare State and Public Policies
• +7 more

Renato Miguel do Carmo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon and an Integrated Researcher at CIES-Iscte - Center for Research and Studies in Sociology. He serves as Coordinator of the research group on Inequalities, Work and Social Welfare and directs the Observatory of Inequalities, contributing significantly to national and international sociological research. He is also involved in the scientific coordination of COLABOR, a collaborative research initiative. PhD in Social Sciences (General Sociology), University of Lisbon Institute of Social Sciences, 2006 Aggregation in Sociology, ISCTE-University Institute of Lisbon, 2023 Master's in In-depth Sociology and Portuguese Reality, Nova University of Lisbon, 1997 Bachelor's in Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of the New University of Lisbon, 1993 His research focuses on social and territorial inequalities, the welfare state, employment and labor markets, public policies, spatial mobility, and social capital. He has published extensively in journals such as Current Sociology , European Societies , Journal of Civil Society , and Geoforum . His work often employs mixed-methods approaches to analyze the impacts of economic and health crises on labor and social protection, particularly among youth and vulnerable populations. His recent publications center on precarious work, youth labor market integration, social protection erosion, and the socioterritorial dimensions of inequality in Portugal. Themes include the gig economy, pandemic effects on employment, and the persistence of dualistic labor markets. His research combines theoretical depth with empirical rigor, contributing to both academic and policy debates. 2023 João Ferreira de Almeida Award (1st edition) 2022 António Dornelas Award 2022 CIES-Iscte R&D Awards ISCTE-IUL Scientific Awards (2011, 2015, 2016, 2019) Bartolomeu Dias Award (2008) Special Jury Prize 2009 (Análise Social) Renato Miguel do Carmo has authored or edited 37 books and published numerous scientific articles. He has led and participated in multiple research projects, often in collaboration with institutions across Europe. His work has been supported by national research councils and policy bodies, including the Higher Council of Statistics (INE). He advises on public policy through his role in the Observatory of Inequalities and contributes to national debates on labor and social protection reform. He has no listed students in the provided text, but likely supervises graduate research given his senior academic position. He is actively involved in research networks and has contributed to edited volumes such as Faces of Precarity and national policy reports on social inequality indicators. His work bridges academic research and public policy, emphasizing the need for equitable and sustainable labor and welfare systems in contemporary Portugal.

Haley OliverView profile

Professor

• Food Safety
• Food Security
• Foodborne Pathogens
• +3 more

Dr. Haley Oliver serves as the 150th Anniversary Professor of Food Science and Director of the USAID Feed the Future Food Safety Innovation Lab at Purdue University's College of Agriculture. She concurrently holds positions as Senior Research Fellow at the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, Purdue University Health Equity Champion, and Showalter Fellow. Education: Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Microbiology, University of Wyoming PhD in Food Science (minors in Epidemiology and Microbiology), Cornell University Research Focus: Dr. Oliver pioneers research in food safety for emerging food systems like cellular agriculture, developing practical pathogen control strategies. Her work spans global food security with over 10 years of field experience in low- and middle-income economies, emphasizing sanitation and the critical link between food safety, economic stability, and national security. Scientific Recognition: USDA-APLU John Morrill Award Purdue Carine Alexander Spirit of Land-Grant Award USDA Food and Agriculture Teaching Excellence Award Purdue Charles B. Murphy Teaching Award (university's highest teaching honor) IAFP Young Scientist Award IAFP James M. Jay Diversity in Food Award AAAS Leshner Fellow Leadership & Mentorship: As Director of the USAID Feed the Future Lab, she manages a multi-country research portfolio (Senegal, Kenya, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nigeria, Nepal) while teaching food safety courses. Her mentorship extends through the Tech Diplomacy Academy, shaping future food security leaders. Initiatives: Dr. Oliver leads the USAID Feed the Future Food Safety Innovation Lab and contributes to Purdue's Tech Diplomacy Academy, where she advocates for tech diplomacy as central to solving global food and nutrition challenges amid population growth in food-insecure regions.

Sara Benjamin NeelonView profile

Professor

• Child Nutrition
• Obesity Prevention
• Early Life Predictors of Chronic Disease
• +12 more

Sara Benjamin-Neelon is a Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with a primary appointment in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society and a joint affiliation with the Department of International Health. She is also the Director of the Lerner Center. Holding a PhD, JD, and MPH, her interdisciplinary expertise spans child nutrition, public health law, and chronic disease prevention. Educational Background: JD, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2017 PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2006 MPH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2002 BS, Ithaca College, 1995 Dr. Benjamin-Neelon’s research centers on early life predictors of obesity and chronic diseases, with a strong emphasis on health equity. Her work explores community-based interventions for children and families, food insecurity, policy evaluation (especially in nutrition and physical activity), epigenetic and environmental influences on child growth, and the social determinants of early life feeding, physical activity, sleep, and stress. She examines both domestic and global contexts, contributing significantly to understanding how policy changes can create healthier environments. Her extensive publication record includes over 196 research outputs, with recent articles focusing on childcare environments, breastfeeding policies, cannabis use during pregnancy, university beverage contracts, and infant feeding regulations. The trends in her recent work highlight a strong focus on policy analysis, health equity, and the evaluation of natural experiments in public health. She frequently investigates how structural and environmental factors shape child health outcomes. She has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text. Dr. Benjamin-Neelon advises students and leads significant research projects, including evaluations of state nutrition and physical activity policies, the impact of childcare on obesity risk, and initiatives to improve healthy feeding in early childhood. Her work often involves collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and has significant implications for public health grants and policy development. She leads or contributes to key research initiatives such as the evaluation of South Carolina’s nutrition and physical activity policies, studies on licensing laws for infant and toddler care, and the Maryland Collaborative to reduce excessive college drinking. Her research environment is collaborative, involving multiple institutions and public health agencies.

• Development Economics
• Health Economics
• Financial Economics
• +6 more

Joseph Ajefu is an Associate Professor of Development Economics at the University of Bradford's Department of Peace Studies and International Development (PSID), within the School of Social Sciences and Faculty of Mgmt, Law & Social Sciences. He is also a Research Associate at the Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA), University of Johannesburg. Previously, he held academic roles at institutions like Northumbria University, SOAS, and the University of Witwatersrand. He leads the MSc Sustainable Development and MA International Development Management programs at Bradford. He holds an MSc in Development Economics from the University of Birmingham (UK) and a PhD from the University of Leicester (UK). His research focuses on applied economics, with emphasis on development economics, health economics, and financial economics. Recent studies examine how climate change, violent conflict, inheritance rights, and religious reforms influence household well-being in low-and-middle-income countries. His work has been published in journals like the Journal of Population Economics and European Journal of Development Research . Teaching areas include development theories, econometrics, conflict dynamics, and governance in Africa. He has contributed to over 30 peer-reviewed articles and policy analyses, exploring topics such as mobile money impacts, remittances, social transfers, and shocks in Sub-Saharan Africa. His professional activities include consultancy, research collaborations, and policy engagement. Notable contributions include studies on the mitigating effects of land tenure security on food insecurity and the causal links between women’s schooling and contraceptive use in Nigeria.

Hanna SchwanderView profile

Professor

• Political Sociology
• Political Economy
• Climate Policy
• +3 more

Hanna Schwander is a Full Professor and Chair of Political Sociology and Social Policy at Humboldt University of Berlin. She leads the Einstein Research Unit ‘Coping with Affective Polarization’ and directs the Berlin Polarization Monitor, a large-scale panel study tracking polarization dynamics. Her research intersects comparative politics, political sociology, and political economy, focusing on welfare state transformations, labor market inequality, and climate policy. Previously, she held professorships at the Hertie School of Governance and the University of Zurich, with prior roles at institutions like the European University Institute and University of Oxford. Education includes a PhD from the University of Zurich (2012) and a Licentiate in Political Science from the same institution (2008). Research projects include exploring the political feasibility of climate policies, the rise of Green parties, and the role of Universal Basic Income. She has been funded by the Einstein Foundation and the Berlin University Alliance. Key research areas include affective polarization, distributive politics, and the societal impacts of economic inequality. Her work examines how structural challenges like climate change and welfare reforms influence political processes. Teaching focuses on comparative political economy, party politics, and inequality studies.

Vall Castelló, JuditView profile

Professor

• Health Economics
• Labour Economics
• Public Policy Evaluation
• +3 more

Judit Vall Castelló is a Full Professor in the Department of Economics at the Universitat de Barcelona and a key researcher at the Institut d’Economia de Barcelona (IEB-UB), where she serves as Director of the Public Policies Research Program. She is also an external affiliated researcher at CRES-UPF and a Research Fellow at IZA. Her academic affiliations reflect a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research in public policy and applied economics. Her research focuses on the evaluation of public policies, particularly in Health Economics and Labour Economics . She employs advanced econometric methods to assess the causal impact of policy interventions on health outcomes, labor market dynamics, and social inequalities. Her work often uses quasi-experimental designs and natural experiments to draw robust conclusions. The trends in her recent publications reveal a consistent engagement with pressing societal issues such as healthcare access, aging populations, unemployment, mental health, and policy reforms. Her studies span multiple countries and leverage large administrative datasets, contributing significantly to both academic literature and evidence-based policymaking. Scientific Awards: ICREA Academia (2022) Fulbright-Schuman Grant Robert Solow Postdoctoral Fellowship Pre-doctoral Marie Curie Research Fellow Judit Vall Castelló has advised numerous PhD and Master’s students in economics and public policy, though specific names are not listed. She has secured competitive research funding through national and international programs, including collaborations with NBER, UNICEF, and Cambridge University. Her research has informed policy debates in Europe and beyond. She is actively involved in research teams at IEB and CRES-UPF, contributing to collaborative projects on health systems, labor markets, and fiscal federalism. Her leadership in the Public Policies Research Program fosters interdisciplinary dialogue and innovation in policy evaluation.

• Development Cooperation
• International Development
• Public Health
• +4 more

Patrick Develtere is a Professor at the Leuven International and European Studies (LINES) department within the Faculty of Social Sciences at KU Leuven. His research focuses on international development cooperation, public health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and European-African scientific collaboration. He serves as an invited member of the Council of the Faculty of Social Sciences and an observer of the Politieke wetenschappen programme committee. Key research projects include studies on informal employment and social health insurance in Tanzania, microcredit impacts in Bangladesh, and transnational air quality initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa. He has also led work on EU homelessness data systems and global resilience strategies through cooperatives. Recent publications span topics from homelessness policy in Europe to lung health challenges in LMICs. Develtere collaborates extensively with institutions like HIVA-KU Leuven and Egerton University in Kenya. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches to address socio-environmental challenges, emphasizing transnational cooperation and evidence-based policy solutions.

Shatakshee DhongdeView profile

Professor

• Poverty
• Inequality
• Multidimensional Poverty Analysis
• +5 more

Shatakshee Dhongde is a Professor of Economics and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Georgia Institute of Technology. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Riverside, and has conducted pioneering research on multidimensional poverty in the U.S., emphasizing non-income deprivations such as housing, health, and education. Her work during the Great Recession and the pandemic has highlighted systemic inequalities, particularly among marginalized racial and ethnic groups. She is affiliated with the Institute of Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and serves on the editorial boards of leading journals like the Review of Income and Wealth . Education: Ph.D., University of California, Riverside, U.S. M.A., University of Pune, India B.A., University of Pune, India Research Interests: Multidimensional poverty analysis Economic inequality and social justice Impact of public infrastructure on regional disparities Educational and health disparities Global poverty measurement Awards: Dean George C. Griffin Faculty of the Year Award (2022) Nancy and Richard Ruggles Memorial Prize (2012) Fellow, Society for Economic Measurement (2019) Her recent work includes analyzing racial disparities in poverty, spatial trends in multidimensional poverty, and hardships during the pandemic. She advocates for policies addressing affordable housing, healthcare access, and educational equity. Dhongde has been featured in national media, including NPR and BBC, and serves as President-elect of the International Association of Review of Income and Wealth (IARIW).

• Structural Determinants of Health
• Food Insecurity
• Government Nutrition Programs
• +4 more

Kurt Hager is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Epidemiology, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School. He holds a BA in Sociology from St. Olaf College, an MS in Food Policy from Tufts University, and a PhD in Public Health. His research focuses on structural determinants of health, food insecurity, and government nutrition programs. He evaluates programs like the Flexible Services Program addressing food/housing insecurity under Medicaid's Section 1115 Waiver. His work includes quasi-experimental studies, policy modeling, and economic evaluations. Dr. Hager's policy engagement includes roles at Harvard Law School’s Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, the Aspen Institute's Food is Medicine Research Action Plan, and the Task Force on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. He currently chairs the National Produce Prescription Collaborative and serves on the American Heart Association's Food Cost Effectiveness Task Force. His research highlights the impact of nutritional interventions on chronic diseases, with recent studies on produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals. Publications analyze Medicaid policy impacts, emergency department referrals, and legal barriers to food security programs. He collaborates with institutions like the American Heart Association and the National Produce Prescription Collaborative to translate science into evidence-based policy.

Helen LevyView profile

Research Professor

• Health Economics
• Public Health Insurance
• Health Policy Research
• +3 more

Helen Levy, PhD, is a Research Professor at the University of Michigan in the Department of Health Management and Policy, Institute for Social Research, and Ford School of Public Policy. She holds a PhD in Economics from Princeton University (1998) and a BA in Mathematics and History from Yale University (1991). Her research focuses on health insurance impacts, public health policy evaluations, and material hardship among older Americans. She co-leads the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study on aging dynamics. Dr. Levy has served as a Senior Economist at the President’s Council of Economic Advisers (2010–2011) and previously held roles at the University of Chicago Harris School and University of California, Berkeley. Her work emphasizes healthcare access disparities, Medicaid/Medicare policy, and poverty measurement innovations. Key contributions include analyzing high-deductible health plans, healthcare utilization trends, and socioeconomic factors affecting vulnerable populations. Her research has informed policy debates on healthcare financing, retirement economics, and social welfare systems. Collaborations span academia, government, and think tanks, including the National Bureau of Economic Research. Dr. Levy’s interdisciplinary approach bridges economic theory with real-world public health challenges, particularly for aging populations and low-income groups.

• Consumption
• Contestation of food
• Everyday life practices
• +6 more

Bente Halkier is a Professor in Sociology at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Sociology, part of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Her work focuses on consumption practices, food politics, and qualitative methodologies. She has held academic roles since 1993, including leadership roles in research groups and centers. PhD in Social Sciences from Roskilde University (1998) Professorships at Roskilde University (2011–2016) and University of Copenhagen (2016–present) Her research explores how everyday practices like food consumption intersect with broader societal issues. Key areas include: Contestation over food safety and dietary advice Convenience food dynamics and sustainability Interactions between media, science, and consumer behavior Her recent projects include studies on socioeconomic disparities in dietary health and the role of food practices in climate change mitigation. She has led multiple grants, including the Proper Food under Economic Constraints project (2018–2021). Bente has authored over 30 academic books and journal articles, edited volumes on consumption studies, and served on editorial boards for journals like Cultural Sociology and Journal of Consumer Culture . She frequently collaborates internationally, including with institutions in the UK, Sweden, and Norway.

• Social Inequality
• Economic Sociology
• Urban Sociology
• +4 more

Rachel Dwyer is a Professor of Sociology and Vice Chair at The Ohio State University (OSU). She is affiliated with the OSU Institute for Population Research and the Translational Data Analytics Institute. Her research focuses on social inequality, wealth disparities, and financial strain, examining how economic structures impact employment, housing, and health outcomes. Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2003) Dwyer’s work explores job polarization, credit/debt dynamics, and neighborhood segregation. Her recent studies highlight how middle-wage job stagnation exacerbates income inequality and how financial systems disproportionately affect marginalized populations. Her article trends reveal interdisciplinary engagement with economic sociology, policy analysis, and health disparities. She investigates systemic factors like state regulations, labor market shifts, and social safety nets in shaping financial insecurity.