The Russell Sage Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of sixteen leading social scientists as Visiting Scholars for the 2015-2016 academic year. During their time in residence, they will pursue research and writing projects that reflect the Foundation's commitment to strengthening the social sciences and conducting research "for the improvement of social and living conditions in the United States."

The Visiting Scholars program, now in its thirtieth year, provides a unique opportunity for scholars to pursue their research and writing while in residence at the Foundation, and is an important part of the Foundation's effort to analyze and understand the complex and shifting nature of social, political, and economic life in the United States.

Several incoming scholars will undertake research in socioeconomic and racial inequality, such as an analysis of the factors that drive racial wealth disparities, and an investigation of how increases in economic inequality have affected voter turnout in congressional elections. Others will work on projects related to the changing nature of work and the labor force, including a study of a new immigrant-driven tech economy in lower Manhattan. The incoming class of scholars also includes two working groups, one of which will examine the connections between low-income fathers’ earnings and financial support and their children’s cognitive and behavioral outcomes. The other group will use data from the Texas Twin Project, a study of over 1,000 twins, to examine the relationship between genetic and social factors in adolescent development and academic achievement.

To read more about the individual scholars’ research topics, click the links below or visit the Incoming Scholars page on our website.

• Natasha J. Cabrera, Human Development, University of Maryland
• Prudence L. Carter, Education, Stanford University
• William Alexander Darity, Jr., Public Policy, Duke University
• David A. Gamson, Education, Pennsylvania State University
• Kathryn Paige Harden, Psychology, University of Texas, Austin
• Chinhui Juhn, Economics, University of Houston
• Tali Mendelberg, Political Science, Princeton University
• Ronald B. Mincy, Social Work, Columbia University
• Jonathan Nagler, Political Science, New York University
• Victor Nee, Sociology, Cornell University
• Monica Prasad, Sociology, Northwestern University
• Lisa J. Servon, Public Policy, New School
• Elliot M. Tucker-Drob, Psychology, University of Texas, Austin
• Cara Wong, Political Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Viviana A. Zelizer, Sociology, Princeton University
• James P. Ziliak, Economics, University of Kentucky

Please click here to learn more about the Visiting Scholars program and how to apply.