Lisa A. Gennetian

Lisa A. Gennetian is a Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University and the Pritzker Professor of Early Learning Policy Studies. She serves as Director of Graduate Studies in Duke's Sanford School PhD Program and is an Affiliate of the Center for Child and Family Policy. Her research focuses on child poverty, behavioral economics applications to policy, and Hispanic family economic dynamics.

• PhD in Economics from Cornell University (1998)
• B.A. in Economics from Wellesley College (1990)

Her work bridges poverty scholarship with behavioral economics, exemplified by the Baby's First Years study - the first multi-site U.S. cash transfer experiment. Key initiatives include beELL (behavioral economics for early learning) and leadership at the National Center for Research on Hispanic Families. She advocates for policy reforms to support working families, including child tax credits and childcare investments.

Recent publications analyze unconditional cash transfers, net worth poverty, and racial disparities in child development. She has received grants for maternal/infant health research and Hispanic family studies. Her 2025 work shows continued focus on poverty mechanisms and policy design, with 2024 studies examining maternal well-being and child neurodevelopment.

• Scientific Awards Include: North Carolina Maternal and Infant Health Grant (2025), Center for Research on Hispanic Children (2019-2024)
• Key Research Themes: Cash transfer effects, behavioral economics applications, racial disparities in poverty, early childhood policy