Allison Karpyn

Dr. Allison Karpyn is a Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware (UD) and Co-Director of the Center for Research in Education and Social Policy (CRESP). She holds a Ph.D. in Policy Research, Evaluation, and Measurement from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. Her work focuses on food security, public health policy, and community-based interventions to improve access to healthy food in underserved areas.

Education:

• Ph.D., Policy Research, Evaluation, and Measurement, University of Pennsylvania, 2003
• B.A., Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 1998

Research Interests: Dr. Karpyn’s research addresses food insecurity, obesity prevention, and strategies to enhance healthy food access in low-income communities. She explores topics such as program evaluation of SNAP/WIC initiatives, supermarket access, corner store interventions, and the impact of farmer’s markets in marginalized regions. Her work integrates community partnerships with policy analysis to design equitable solutions.

Key Themes in Research: Recent studies highlight her focus on food pricing dynamics in the Bahamas, stigma surrounding food policies, and pandemic-era adaptations of food assistance programs. Her work often bridges academic research with practical applications, such as evaluating healthcare coordination programs and exploring intergenerational care models.

Awards & Fellowships:

• Fulbright Scholar (2017-2018)
• Fellow, University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Public Health Initiatives

Advising & Grants: While no student advisees are listed, Dr. Karpyn leads and collaborates on multiple grants and initiatives, including CRESP’s community health projects and evaluations of healthy food financing programs. Her work often involves partnerships with non-profits, retailers, and governmental agencies.

Labs & Teams: She is integral to the Center for Research in Education and Social Policy, which focuses on translational research to address societal challenges. Collaborations extend to institutions like Thomas Jefferson University and Drexel University, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to public health.