Quarantine Envy Got You Down? You’re Not Alone
Some groups may also be better than others at resisting envy. A recent Brookings Institution study showed that African-American and Hispanic people, especially those with low incomes, remained more optimistic than their white counterparts, despite facing physical and economic challenges from the pandemic.
Michal Grinstein-Weiss, Stephen Roll and Olga Kondratjeva receive grant for COVID-19 research in Israel
Michal Grinstein-Weiss, director of SPI and principal investigator, and Olga Kondratjeva, postdoctoral research assistant at SPI, were awarded a grant from McDonnell Academy to examine the economic impacts of and policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students Share their Experiences with the Graduate Policy Scholars Program
The Graduate Policy Scholars program provides students from all fields of study with impactful opportunities and training outside of their curriculum. Offered by the Clark-Fox Policy Institute in partnership with the Social Policy Institute, the yearlong program inspires students to pursue their unique interests. Nearly 120 students have completed the GPS program through its first […]
Low-income households falling further behind on student debt due to COVID-19
COVID-19 is widening the achievement gap
Parents shouldn’t have to choose between their children’s’ health and their academic success—between surviving and thriving. While the choice to attend school in-person or virtually may ultimately be up to parents in some cases, we should ensure that both options allow for academic success—especially for the most vulnerable learners.
Call for papers: The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science special issue on COVID-19
The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science announces a special issue on The COVID-19 Shock to Our Deep Inequities: How to Mitigate the Impact Submission deadline for proposals: August 31, 2020 Submission deadline for full manuscripts: October 31, 2020 More information at AAPSS View and download the call for proposals as […]
The demographics of racial inequality in the United States
The numbers provided here only scratch the surface of the realities of racial inequality in the United States. As we begin to reimagine policing, dismantle systems of oppression, and reinvest resources into Black communities, we must use these numbers to help guide us.
Experts Warn of Potential Housing Crisis When Eviction Moratorium Lifted
In an interview with NBC 6, Michal Grinstein-Weiss discussed the housing crisis and looming evictions. She said, “We are already in a housing crisis in the U.S. and we were in one long before, and housing is really central for our people to recover from COVID-19."
Pandemic boosts urgency of housing instability
The Columbian features SPI data in a story about housing hardship. "Nationally, a survey of low- to moderate-income households, conducted by the Social Policy Institute at Washington University in St. Louis, found that individuals are facing increased hardships such as evictions, delayed rent or mortgage payments, or unexpected utility payments and home repairs during the […]
It’s about to get a lot worse
SPI faculty director, Mat Despard, was interviewed in this Axios story about evictions: "We should be very concerned about what’s going to happen in August and beyond."
COVID-19 job and income loss leading to more hunger and financial hardship
Hispanic, low-income, and young individuals (between the ages of 18 and 24) had the highest rates of job and income loss compared to other racial/ethnic, income, and age groups.
Grinstein-Weiss and Ferris receive Washington University’s Outstanding Faculty & Staff Mentor Award
Michal Grinstein-Weiss, director of the Social Policy Institute, and Dan Ferris, director of policy and planning at the Social Policy Institute, were selected out of nearly 100 nominations as recipients of the 2020 Washington University Outstanding Faculty Mentor and Staff Mentor Awards. Awarded by the university’s Graduate Student Senate, students from all of WashU’s schools nominated […]