The Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at UMass Boston’s McCormack Graduate School conducts policy-relevant research on women’s economic security, with a current focus on several issues: pay equity, paid leave, the early care and education workforce, and the elder care workforce.
Center researchers also study women’s political representation and public leadership.
All center research explores the intersection of gender, race/ethnicity, and class; much of the center’s work has a particular emphasis on low-wage workers and women of color. Center publications range from fact sheets and policy briefs to in-depth reports and most are available as PDFs on this site.
For additional information about the center’s research activities and/or publications, please contact: Christa Kelleher, PhD, Research and Policy Director by emailing christa.kelleher@umb.edu or calling 617.287.5530.
Click here to learn more about the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy.
Publications from 2023
Estimating the Impacts of Legislation to Expand Affordable Quality Child Care and Early Education in Massachusetts: Initial Findings on Utilization, Employment, and Financial Assistance. Research Brief #1, Randy Albelda, Alan Clayton-Matthews, Anne Douglass, Christa Kelleher, Songtian Zeng, and Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson
Latino Political Leadership in Massachusetts (2023), Rachel Paz, Fabián Torres-Ardila, and Christa Kelleher
Publications from 2022
A New Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Role for the Town of Acton: Final Report, Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management, University of Massachusetts Boston and Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Getting to Yes: The Makings of Paid Leave in Massachusetts, Christa Kelleher; Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson; Priyanka Kabir; Lillian Hunter; Cassandra M. Porter; and Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
On the Rise: Asian American Women Elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Katie Mai; Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston; and Institute for Asian American Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston
Publications from 2021
Profiles in Leadership: Women of Color Elected to Office in Massachusetts, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Latinx Political Leadership in Massachusetts (2021), Leyi Andrea Perez, Fabián Torres-Ardila, and Christa Kelleher
Publications from 2020
Latinx Political Leadership in Massachusetts, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston; Gaston Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston; Bianca Ortiz-Wythe; Christa Kelleher; and Fabián Torres-Ardila
Aging Strong for All: Examining Aging Equity in the City of Boston, Jan Mutchler, Caitlin Coyle, Nidya Velasco Roldán, Paul Watanabe, Cedric Woods, Lorna Rivera, Quito Swan, Elena Stone, and Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson
Publications from 2019
The Political Leadership of Women of Color in Massachusetts: Uneven Progress Amid Historic Advances, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston; Gaston Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston; William Monroe Trotter Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston; Institute for Asian American Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston; and Institute for New England Native American Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston
Latino Political Leadership in Massachusetts – 2019, Bianca Ortiz-Wythe; Christa M. Kelleher; Fabián Torres-Ardila; Gaston Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston; and Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Publications from 2018
The Massachusetts Paid Leave Program: What Workers Can Expect to Pay and Receive, Randy Albelda and Alan Clayton-Matthews
Women’s Political Leadership in MA: Advances Expected, Gaps Remain, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Publications from 2017
Paid Family and Medical Leave: Cost and Coverage Estimates of Three Choices in Massachusetts, Policy Brief, Randy Albelda and Alan Clayton-Matthews
Gaining Ground on Equal Pay: Empowering Boston's Women Through Salary Negotiation Workshops, A Report on Year One of AAUW Work Smart in Boston, Jecynta Azong, Ann Bookman, and Christa Kelleher
Latina Political Leadership in Massachusetts, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Publications from 2016
It’s About Time: Costs and Coverage of Paid Family and Medical Leave in Massachusetts, Randy Albelda and Alan Clayton-Matthews
Recovery for All? A Snapshot of Women’s Economic Status in New England, Ann Bookman, Christa Kelleher, and Kristin Smith
Policy Snapshot: Current State Efforts, Action, and Progress on Key Issues,, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
The 2016 Election: Women in the Massachusetts Legislature, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Publications from 2015
Testimony on the Equal Pay Act [H. 1733/S. 983], Ann Bookman
Gender Wage Gap Matters to Women in Low-Wage Occupations: Hispanic Women Face Largest Pay Inequities, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Profiles in Leadership: Women of Color Elected to Office in Massachusetts, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston and Women's Pipeline for Change
Submissions from 2014
Healthy Eating and Savvy Saving: An Evaluation of Action for Boston Community Development’s Food Dollars Program For Low-Income Elders, Ann Bookman and Susan M. Phillips
Latina Political Leadership in Massachusetts, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Women’s Municipal Leadership in Massachusetts: Snapshot of Cape Cod, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Publications from 2013
Women’s Political Leadership in Boston, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Demographic Analysis of Recovery Act Supported Jobs in Massachusetts, Quarters 1 and 2, 2011: FINAL REPORT, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Monica Lamboy, David Merwin, Paige Ransford, Meryl Thomson, and Christian Weller
Process Evaluation: Suffolk County House of Correction’s Reentry Programs, Paige Ransford and Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Submissions from 2012
Participatory Action Research Fellowship for Women of Color Leaders Project, Christa Kelleher; Ileana Cintrón; and Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston
Will Women Gain Seats?: The 2012 Election and the Representation of Women in the Massachusetts Legislature, Paige Ransford and Meryl Thomson
Women’s Political Leadership in Massachusetts, Paige Ransford, Meryl Thomson, and Sarah Healey
Publications from 2011
Caring for Women: A Profile of the Midwifery Workforce in Massachusetts, Christa M. Kelleher and Dorothy Brewin
Unfinished Business: Building Equality for Women in the Construction Trades, Susan Moir, Meryl Thomson, and Christa Kelleher
Moving through the Pipeline: Women’s Representation in Municipal Government in the New England Region of the United States, Paige Ransford and Meryl Thomson
Publications from 2010
Women in the Down Economy: Impacts of the Recession and the Stimulus in Massachusetts, Randy Albelda and Christa Kelleher
Facing Up: Managing Diversity in Challenging Times, Carol Hardy-Fanta and Paige Ransford
Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on Maine, Dorothy Hiersteiner
Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on Massachusetts, Dorothy Hiersteiner
Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on New Hampshire, Dorothy Hiersteiner
Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on Rhode Island, Dorothy Hiersteiner
Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on Vermont, Dorothy Hiersteiner
Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on Connecticut, Dorothy Hiersteiner and Kaye Inandan
Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care, Adeola Oni-Orisan, Dorothy Hiersteiner, and Althea Swett
Demographic Analysis of Recovery Act Supported Jobs in Massachusetts, Quarters 1 and 2, 2010, David Sparks, Paige Ransford, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Christian Weller, Meryl Thomson, and Robert Turner
Publications from 2009
Stepping Up: Managing Diversity in Challenging Times, Carol Hardy-Fanta
Publications from 2008
Parenting from Prison: Family Relationships of Incarcerated Women in Massachusetts, Erika Kates, Sylvia Mignon, and Paige Ransford
Call to Action: A Pay Equity Resource Guide, Kacie Kelly
Women’s Municipal Leadership in Massachusetts, Paige Ransford and Miriam Lazewatsky
Publications from 2007
A Benchmark Report On Diversity in State and Local Government, Carol Hardy-Fanta PhD
Women of Talent: Gender and Government Appointments in Massachusetts, 2002–2007, Carol Hardy-Fanta and Kacie Kelly
A Seat at the Table? Racial/Ethnic & Gender Diversity on Corporate, Hospital, Education, Cultural & State Boards, Carol Hardy-Fanta PhD and Donna Stewartson
Low-Income Women's Access to Education? A Case Study of Welfare Recipients in Boston, Erika Kates
The Voting Rights Act and the Election of Nonwhite Officials, Pei-te Lien, Dianne M. Pinderhughes, Carol Hardy-Fanta, and Christine M. Sierra
Women in New England Politics, Paige Ransford, Carol Hardy-Fanta, and Anne Marie Cammisa
Women in New England Politics, Paige Ransford, Carol Hardy-Fanta, and Anne Marie Cammisa
Publications from 2006
Minority Women in the Healthcare Workforce in New England, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Erika Kates, Helen Levine, and Kate Peery-Wolf
Gender, Race, and Descriptive Representation in the United States: Findings from the Gender and Multicultural Leadership Project, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Pei-te Lien, Dianne M. Pinderhughes, and Christine M. Sierra
Transformation and Taking Stock: A Summary of Selected Findings from the McCormack Graduate School Diversity Survey, Carol Hardy-Fanta and Paul Watanabe
Publications from 2005
Women and Homelessness in Massachusetts, Michelle Kahan
Women in Prison in Massachusetts: Maintaining Family Connections, Erika Kates, Paige Ransford, and Carol Cardozo
“As Tough As It Gets”: Women in Boston Politics, 1921-2004, Kristen A. Petersen, Carol Hardy-Fanta PhD, and Karla Armenoff
Publications from 2004
Debunking the Myth of the Failure of Education and Training for Welfare Recipients, Erika Kates
HIV/AIDS Among Women of Color in Massachusetts, Erika Kates, Helen Levine, and LaKay Cornell
Publications from 2003
Growing Inequities among Women in Massachusetts: Income, Employment, Education and Skills, Erika Kates
Submissions from 2002
Who's in Charge? Appointments of Latinos to Policymaking Offices and Boards in Massachusetts, Carol Hardy-Fanta
Submissions from 2001
Gender Politics in Massachusetts: Progress for Paid Family Leave, Elizabeth A. Sherman
Publications from 2000
Report on the Minors’ Abortion Rights Project, J. Shoshanna Ehrlich, Carol Hardy-Fanta, and Jamie Ann Sabino
Alternatives to Incarceration for Substance Abusing Female Defendants/Offenders in Massachusetts, 1996-1998, Carol Hardy-Fanta and Sylvia Mignon
Comparable Worth: Pay Equity and Women of Color, Elizabeth A. Sherman
Publications from 1999
Making Family Leave More Affordable in Massachusetts: The Temporary Disability Insurance Model, Jillian P. Dickert
Publications from 1997
Beyond the Gender Gap: Women of Color in the 1996 Election, Carol Hardy-Fanta
Publications from 1995
An Economic Profile of Women in Massachusetts, Randy Albelda
Latina Women and Political Leadership: Implications for Latino Community Empowerment, Carol Hardy-Fanta