Public Engagement

Media Highlights

In this piece we discuss experiences of food insecurity among children in the U.S. and the role of food assistance programs in supporting those in need. Econofact, November 24, 2025.

In cooperation with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and hosted by First Focus on Children, in this conversation I discuss my work examining how implementation of policies including TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid can help improve uptake among Hispanic families. First Focus on Children, June 13, 2025.

In this episode, I draw on my work to provide an overview of cash assistance programs both in the US and in other countries, with a particular focus on programs aimed at families with children. IRP, April 23, 2025.

In this this piece I discuss the impact of the 2021 expansion of the child tax credit on parental stress and psychological well-being more generally. The Hill, July 31, 2024.

The title says it all: “Why Does the Richest Country in the World Have So Many Poor Children?” I help explain why, and what we can do about it. Freakonomics, September 15, 2021.

I talk with Marketplace about the ambitious nature of the family tax credit expansion in 2021’s American Rescue Plan. Marketplace, May 18, 2021.

I explain how the “refundable” setup of the 2021 tax credits—sending monthly payments to families in advance of tax season—has a huge impact for families in poverty. People, March 16, 2021.

For low-income moms, the monthly cash payment in the Baby’s First Years study could be life-changing. As one of the study’s lead researchers, I illuminate how a reliable income source can help parents support their children’s development and plan for the future. MarketWatch, May 12, 2019.

I continue the discussion on how reliable sources of income can help support parents and their children’s development. NPR Planet Money: The Indicator podcast, May 30, 2018.

Can alleviating poverty boost children’s brain development? I talk with The Economist about the Baby’s First Years study, which aims to find out. The Economist, May 3, 2018.

We explain how federal and state budget stalemates put North Carolinian children at risk, urging state lawmakers to protect key support programs. The News & Observer, October 9, 2025.