Research
I aim to create new insights and knowledge about the lives of families and children living with low or unstable economic resources.
My research in economics draws on multidisciplinary perspectives from the behavioral sciences, psychology, and child development. I use a variety of methodological approaches to deepen our understanding of children’s lives and the causal mechanisms that shape them, including:
Large multi-site longitudinal randomized control studies of social policies and programs in the U.S.
Field experiments testing light-touch interventions informed by behavioral economics
Surveys, focus groups, and related fieldwork to capture the richness of family life and children’s development
Poverty, Income Stability, Cash Support, and Safety Net Programs
Families with limited and uncertain economic resources face multiple demands when juggling caregiving and employment. How does financial support cushion against spirals into poverty, cultivate economic stability and mobility, and foster children’s positive development?
Behavioral Economics
Tools from psychology and social psychology complement classical economic theory in understanding how people make decisions to support themselves and their children, and how this may differ during times of economic strain. How can we apply these insights to support parents’ capacities and improve the intent of policies and interventions?
Latino Families and Children
Latino children are the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S. Their families reflect a diversity of historical and current experiences in the U.S., facing unique and nuanced complexities in the labor market and social programs. How can we better understand the strengths, experiences, and challenges of Latino families and children to enhance economic progress and security?
Duke 100 Centennial
The story of Duke is one of its people. Their accomplishments over the course of the first hundred years have propelled us to where we are today. Trailblazers are the faculty and staff leading us into the next century. Read more about Dr. Gennetian's work as an applied economist at Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy.