SHARE Summer 2025: Research Opportunity with Dr. Tatiana Andreyeva

Project Mentor

Dr. Tatiana Andreyeva
Department: Agricultural and Resource Economics

Research Project Overview:

The United States is the only high-income country without a national Paid Family Leave (PFL) policy. In response, multiple states have enacted PFL laws, with more expected to follow. These policies have the potential to impact nutrition and health by increasing household income through wage replacement, reducing parental stress, and allowing more time for bonding with newborns.

This study aims to measure the causal effects of PFL policies on child and maternal nutrition and health, particularly among underserved populations, including racial/ethnic minorities, women, and rural communities.

Study Objectives

  • Quantify the short- and long-term effects of PFL policies on breastfeeding, food security, birth outcomes, and maternal health across states with newly implemented policies and early adopters.
  • Identify key PFL policy features (e.g., wage replacement rate, leave duration) that maximize nutrition and health benefits.
  • Evaluate the impact of PFL on socio-demographic disparities in nutrition and health outcomes, providing insights into the equity implications of these policies.

Role and Responsibilities

The student will support a research project on state PFL policies. Responsibilities include:

  • Collecting legislative and administrative data through online research.
  • Conducting data entry and descriptive analysis.
  • Assisting the principal investigator (PI) in gathering information on policy features of various state PFL programs.
  • Communicating with state agencies to request and process data on PFL program participation.
  • Attending project and UConn Rudd Center meetings (remote).
  • Completing research training and/or university compliance training as required.
  • Preparing project reports and taking meeting notes as requested by the PI.

Role of a SHARE Summer Apprentice:

  1. Conduct legislative analysis, including searching for relevant legislative acts.
  2. Assist with state administrative data collection and analysis, including requesting, processing, and analyzing state-level data.
  3. Perform data entry and basic descriptive analysis using Excel.
  4. Gain a foundational understanding of social science research.
  5. Learn about various food policy and health projects at the UConn Rudd Center.
  6. Take clear and professional meeting notes and communicate effectively.
  7. Conduct literature reviews and use reference management software.

Summer Schedule/Time Commitment:

  • Minimum commitment of 90 hours (total), with the possibility of additional hours based on funding availability (a pending USDA grant application).
  • Flexible schedule: 10–20 hours per week, including attendance at required WebEx-based project and staff meetings.
  • If external funding is secured, there may be opportunities for continued research involvement during the academic year, contingent on student interest and satisfactory performance.

Meeting Expectations

  • Weekly WebEx project meetings with the PI (more frequent for students working 20 hours per week).
  • Weekly brief summaries of completed tasks and accomplishments.
  • Weekly WebEx meetings with staff at the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health.
  • Completion of CITI training for Social Science research (if not previously completed).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a research team.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Proficiency in Excel for basic data tasks.
  • Interest in pursuing graduate studies in the future.

To Apply:

The application opens on Saturday, March 1, 2025.  Click here to submit an online application for this research apprenticeship through the Quest Portal. The application deadline is Friday, March 28, 2025, at 11:59pm.

Click here to view an outline of the general application questions. In addition, applicants for this SHARE apprenticeship will be asked to provide a resume and a cover letter explaining interest in this apprenticeship.

Please note:
All students hired for a SHARE Summer apprenticeship must complete a federal I-9 form and present original documents in person to OUR staff as part of the hiring process. Visit this U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services page for more information about acceptable documents. You cannot begin working until this is complete. Students are encouraged to plan ahead for this. For example, if you are going home for spring break, consider bringing original documents back to campus with you.