“PSC's multi-disciplinary environment is a great asset, which is not always
available in universities”
Sarah Avellar
Senior Researcher, Mathematica Policy Research.
Ph.D. 2004 Sociology, University of Michigan
Personal Notes
In my non-work life, I am currently training to become a yoga teacher.
In my non-work life, I am currently training to become a yoga teacher.
Research Interests
Gender, race and the family; women's labor market issues
Gender, race and the family; women's labor market issues
PSC's Influence on Career
PSC's multi-disciplinary environment is a great asset, which is not always available in universities. I remember being surprised to learn that researchers in different fields often studied the same topics, but were, almost as often, completely unaware of each other's work. The interaction and dialogue at PSC, which involved students and faculty, facilitated the exchange of information and ideas across disciplines. That positive experience reinforced my interest in working in a similar environment, and in my current job, my colleagues include economists, psychologists, and sociologists.
My training at Michigan and PSC was excellent preparation for the quantitative and research design work that I do. For example, some of my recent work is evaluating the quality of extant research that examines the effectiveness of selected interventions. PSC contributed to the development of my methodological skills, as well as sharpened my critical thinking, both which are needed to understand and assess the technical rigor of these studies.
PSC's multi-disciplinary environment is a great asset, which is not always available in universities. I remember being surprised to learn that researchers in different fields often studied the same topics, but were, almost as often, completely unaware of each other's work. The interaction and dialogue at PSC, which involved students and faculty, facilitated the exchange of information and ideas across disciplines. That positive experience reinforced my interest in working in a similar environment, and in my current job, my colleagues include economists, psychologists, and sociologists.
My training at Michigan and PSC was excellent preparation for the quantitative and research design work that I do. For example, some of my recent work is evaluating the quality of extant research that examines the effectiveness of selected interventions. PSC contributed to the development of my methodological skills, as well as sharpened my critical thinking, both which are needed to understand and assess the technical rigor of these studies.
Memories of PSC
Looking back, I am still grateful for the funding and other resources PSC provided, such as the work space, computer support, data services, and research opportunities. That support is so important for students' productivity, and, in my opinion, morale. And speaking of morale, I remember when we moved into the great space at ISR, and how happy I was to work next to those huge windows. In the earlier space under the parking structure, at the end of the day, I always had to check the weather on the internet!
Looking back, I am still grateful for the funding and other resources PSC provided, such as the work space, computer support, data services, and research opportunities. That support is so important for students' productivity, and, in my opinion, morale. And speaking of morale, I remember when we moved into the great space at ISR, and how happy I was to work next to those huge windows. In the earlier space under the parking structure, at the end of the day, I always had to check the weather on the internet!