معرفی
Kristin S. Seefeldt is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan's School of Social Work, where she conducts research on poverty, economic well-being, and welfare policy. Her work focuses on how low-income individuals understand their situations, particularly around issues related to work and economic security.
Dr. Seefeldt holds a PhD in Sociology and Public Policy (2010), an MPP in Public Policy (1996), and a BA in American Government (1990) from Georgetown University. Her academic journey has centered on understanding the intersection of social policy and economic mobility.
Her primary research interests include poverty, economic well-being, financial coping strategies, recession impacts, recovery policies, and work-life balance. Dr. Seefeldt's work examines how various institutions that once fostered economic security and upward mobility now fail low and moderate income families, particularly families of color. She is currently conducting research on families' financial coping strategies and serves as Principal Investigator of a survey examining the effects of the recession and recovery policies on individuals' well-being.
Dr. Seefeldt is the author of "Abandoned Families: Social Isolation in the 21st Century" (Russell Sage Foundation), which explores institutional failures affecting low-income families. She has also written "Working After Welfare" (W.E. Upjohn Institute Press), discussing employment and work-family balance challenges among former welfare recipients, and co-authored "America's Poor and the Great Recession" (Indiana University Press).
- Honorable Mention - 2018 Society for Social Work and Research Outstanding Social Work Book Award
Dr. Seefeldt has secured significant research funding, including grants from the Lilly Endowment for a Financial Incentive Program and the John T. Gorman Foundation to evaluate Children's Savings Account Programs. She has also co-piloted a Summer Youth Employment Program with colleagues at the University of Michigan.
Her recent activities include leading Ann Arbor's Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program (July 2023), presenting an Income Pilot Program to Ann Arbor City Council (June 2023), and being chosen for the U-M Boost Program (September 2023). She has been frequently cited in media outlets including NPR and WXYZ Detroit for her expertise on poverty, government aid, and food insecurity.
