What the Next Generation of Policy Researchers Is Studying

What the Next Generation of Policy Researchers Is Studying

Jan 29, 2020

Every summer, Mathematica welcomes a handful of doctoral students to spend 12 weeks at one of our nine office locations to work on an independent research project that intersects with one or more of Mathematicaְ’s focus areas. On this episode of On the Evidence, we feature six short interviews with the 2019 summer fellows about the research questions they pursued and what they have learned so far. In most cases, the fellows are joined by a mentor from Mathematica.

Topic: What factors influence individuals’ long-term care decisions? (1:45–11:32)

Guests: Selena Caldera, a doctoral student at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, and Julia Baller, a senior researcher at Mathematica

 


 

Topic: If Medicaid is more generous in reimbursing for home and community-based services, does it encourage more beneficiaries with disabilities to live in their homes, rather than in a nursing facility? (11:43–26:50)

Guests: Sijiu Wang, a doctoral student at the Health Services Research and Policy Program in the department of public health sciences at the University of Rochester, and Bob Schmitz, a senior fellow at Mathematica, who retired at the end of 2019

 


 

Topic: Did New York City’s fair student funding reform lead to better outcomes for students with disabilities? (26:55–36:55)

Guests: Sana Fatima, a doctoral student in public policy at the New York University Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and Mariesa Herrrmann, a senior researcher at Mathematica

 


 

Topic: How does reducing the cost of participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program affect take-up of the program and ultimately impact infant health? (36:57–46:20)

Guests: Leah Shiferaw, a doctoral student in economics at the University of California, Berkeley, and Nan Maxwell, a senior researcher at Mathematica, who retired at the end of 2019

 


 

Topic: How can policy improve the quality of care that children receive in early childhood education and care programs? (46:24–1:02:29)

Guest: Katie Gonzalez, doctoral student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education

 


 

Topic: How does Medicaid managed care impact hospitalization rates among people who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid? (1:02:36–1:17:54)

Guests: Rebecca Gorges, a doctoral student at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, and Andrea Wysocki, a senior researcher at Mathematica

 


 

Mathematica is accepting applications for 2020 summer fellows through February. Find more information about the fellowship and eligibility requirements here.

Want to hear more episodes of On the Evidence? Visit our podcast landing page or subscribe for future episodes on Apple Podcasts or SoundCloud.

About the Author

J.B. Wogan

J.B. Wogan

Senior Strategic Communications Specialist
View More by this Author