Eric Giannella

Eric Giannella is an Associate Research Professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University. He brings extensive expertise in data science and experimental research to improve access to safety net services and reduce administrative burdens in public programs.

His research focuses on behavioral and structural interventions in public benefits systems, particularly through field experiments in areas such as SNAP enrollment, verification processes, renewal compliance, and cross-program outreach via digital communication. His work bridges sociology, public policy, and data science to enhance equity and efficiency in government services.

The available publications highlight a strong trend in using behavioral science and rigorous experimentation to understand and reduce procedural barriers in public administration. His research spans topics including psychological ownership in benefits uptake, racial disparities in drug arrests, and optimization of administrative processes.

• American Journal of Public Health Best Paper Award
• Behavioral Science & Policy Best Paper Award

Eric has led major research initiatives at Code for America, where he directed data science efforts and academic collaborations to scale the impact of policy interventions. He played a key role in securing $100M in Audacious funding that established the Safety Net Innovation Lab. His work includes designing field experiments and building research infrastructure in government and nonprofit settings.

He has been involved in academic partnerships to validate and disseminate findings, though no formal advisees are listed. His methodological approach emphasizes real-world experimentation and data-driven policy design.