Theresa Anderson
About Theresa Anderson
Theresa Anderson serves as a Senior Research Associate at The Urban Institute, where she has worked since 2012. She specializes in education research and has a strong background in public policy, having earned a Ph.D. from The George Washington University.
Work at Urban Institute
Theresa Anderson has served as a Senior Research Associate at The Urban Institute since 2012. In this role, she focuses on leading research projects that evaluate and build evidence in various educational sectors, including adult education, K-12 education, and higher education. Anderson manages project teams to ensure the production of quality, evidence-driven research. Her work at The Urban Institute emphasizes the importance of data in informing policy decisions and improving educational outcomes.
Education and Expertise
Theresa Anderson holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy and Public Administration from The George Washington University, where she concentrated on Program Evaluation. She also earned a Master's of Public Policy with a focus on Social Policy Analysis Methods from the same institution. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Hampshire College, with concentrations in Political Science, Education, and Latin American Studies. Anderson possesses expertise in designing and administering web-based surveys and has software proficiency in tools such as NVivo, Stata, Qualtrics, ArcGIS, and Office Suite.
Background
Theresa Anderson's professional background includes various roles in academia and research. Prior to her current position, she worked as an Adjunct Instructor and Instructor's Assistant at The George Washington University, teaching graduate-level courses on Poverty and Social Policy. Additionally, she served as a Social Science Analyst at the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture and as a Legal Administrative Assistant at The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia. Her experiences have shaped her approach to research and education.
Research Projects and Initiatives
Anderson has led significant research projects, including 'Studying Segregation by Race and Class in American Higher Education' and 'Understanding Coping Mechanisms for Low-Income Women with Young Children.' These projects reflect her commitment to exploring critical social issues and contributing to the body of knowledge in education and social policy. She conducts implementation studies and cost analyses using various data sources, including survey and qualitative data, to inform her research.
Participatory and Empowerment Research
Theresa Anderson engages in participatory and empowerment research, aiming to create change through the research process itself. Her growing interest in this area underscores her commitment to involving communities in research efforts and ensuring that the findings are relevant and actionable. This approach aligns with her broader goals of improving educational outcomes and addressing social inequalities.