NCID-1203
Trina Shanks
Harold R. Johnson Collegiate Professor of Social Work in the Institute for Social Research
University of Michigan
Education/Degree:
1 Social Work (Washington University in St. Louis)
About
Trina Shanks is currently a Harold R. Johnson collegiate professor and director of community engagement at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Her research interests include the impact of poverty and wealth on child well-being; asset-building policy and practice across the life cycle; and community and economic development. Dr. Shanks co-leads the Grand Challenge "Reducing Extreme Economic Inequality", is a non-resident fellow with Urban Institute and founding director of the Center for Equitable Family & Community Well-Being.
Current Work
Throughout her life, Dr. Shanks has sought to bear witness to the meaning and consequences of economic inequality. Her research and scholarship seek to understand and expand the opportunities available to disadvantaged populations, by promoting assets, documenting disparities and providing greater access to the larger economic system. She has studied racial wealth gaps and the impact of poverty and assets on child outcomes. Dr. Shanks has led interventions in child savings accounts and youth employment. She is currently working in collaboration with community partners to attain greater equity in employment and housing.
Research Area Keyword(s)
asset building, Black wealth, child savings accounts, economic inequality, youth employment