Natasha Pilkauskas

Natasha Pilkauskas is associate faculty director of faculty engaement at Poverty Solutions and an associate professor of public policy at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Her research considers how demographic, social safety net, and economic shifts in the U.S. affect families and children with low-incomes. One strand of her research focuses on the living arrangements of children‚ especially those who live multigenerational households. A second aspect of her work considers economic insecurity, poverty, and family well-being. A third area focuses on how cash transfer policies, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, might improve the developmental and life trajectories of children living in poverty. Pilkauskas’ current research projects include several studies focused on food policies (SNAP and school meals), the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Child Tax Credit.

Pilkauskas’ research has been published in broad array of top peer-reviewed journals across academic fields including demography, sociology, social work, public health, developmental psychology, and economics. Her research has also been supported by the Russell Sage Foundation, the Institute for Research on Poverty, and the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation, among others.

Pilkauskas holds a PhD and MA in social welfare policy from Columbia University; an MPP from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government; and a BA in sociology and economics from Northwestern University.