Curriculum Vitae

Jess Carson is a Vulnerable Families Research Scientist at the Carsey Institute. Jess joined Carsey in May 2010 to provide analyses on the issues that impact vulnerable families and children, particularly poverty. Much of her written work at Carsey focuses on public policies and programs that support low-income families, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps) and public health insurance. Jess is also working on a long-term project that examines the issues facing families living in chronically poor rural counties and aims to highlight the strategies that best support these struggling families.

Jess holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UNH, after completing a thesis on the role of stress in the lives of rural single mothers. In 2009, she earned a master’s degree from the UNH sociology department, writing her thesis on substance use attitudes and behaviors among New Hampshire adolescents. Jess is currently a doctoral student in the sociology department, with a concentration in health and illness.