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Gennetian to Serve on National Academies’ Committee on Federal Policy Impacts on Child Poverty
Duke Sanford professor Lisa Gennetian has been invited to serve on the National Academies’ Federal Policy Impacts on Child Poverty committee. This prestigious position underscores her expertise in poverty alleviation and social policy.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has established an ad hoc committee of experts to assess federal policies impacting child poverty, as mandated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. Gennetian’s inclusion in this committee highlights her recognized stature in the field and dedication to addressing critical societal issues.
The committee's mandate is expansive, aiming to evaluate the impacts of federal policies such as the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on child poverty levels across different demographics. Among the questions the committee will address is the effectiveness of these tax credits in reducing poverty among various populations of U.S. children, including those in different racial and ethnic groups, immigrant families, urban and rural areas, and more.
Gennetian, Pritzker Professor of Early Learning with the Duke Sanford Center for Child and Family Policy, brings to the committee a wealth of experience in studying poverty dynamics and evaluating social policies aimed at reducing poverty. Her research focuses on understanding how economic interventions impact the well-being of children and families, making her insights invaluable to the committee’s mission.
The committee’s work will involve soliciting public input, including perspectives from individuals with lived experience of poverty, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues. By examining the implementation and effectiveness of existing policies, the committee aims to provide recommendations for potential enhancements that could further mitigate child poverty nationwide.

Gennetian was recently recognized as one of Duke's 100 Trailblazers as the university celebrates its 2024 centennial. Known for advancing knowledge and advocating for policies that promote equity and opportunity for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background, she is dedicated to addressing pressing societal issues through rigorous research and evidence-based policymaking.
The National Academies’ Federal Policy Impacts on Child Poverty committee represents a collaborative effort to inform federal policy decisions that have far-reaching implications for the well-being of children and families across the United States. With Gennetian’s expertise and leadership, the committee is poised to make significant strides in understanding and addressing the multifaceted challenges of child poverty in America.