I studied political science, international development and community development at Tufts University, National University of Ireland and Wageningen University (The Netherlands). I am a contributor for Shelterforce, the magazine for community development professionals and an expert in social policy. I have published research, commentary and analysis of public policy in Ireland and the US for Ms. Magazine, the Bangor Daily News, and Rutledge Press.

Susan J. Popkin, Ph.D. is both Director of The Urban Institute’s Program on Neighborhoods and Youth Development and a Senior Fellow in the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center. A nationally-recognized expert on assisted housing and mobility, Dr. Popkin directs a research program that focuses on the ways neighborhood environments affect outcomes for youth, and in conducting evaluations of complex community-based interventions. She is the Director of the HOST Demonstration and HOST Network and co-Principal Investigator for the evaluation of the Casey Foundation’s Family-Centered...