Social Policy Institute Launches to Help Advance the Influence of Research at Washington University in St. Louis
On September 24, the Social Policy Institute, a new university-wide initiative dedicated to addressing pressing social issues through empirical research, dissemination of evidence-informed policy, and training in social policy, launched at Washington University in St. Louis. Michal Grinstein-Weiss, PHD, MA, MSW, Founding Director of the Centene Center for Health Transformation, will lead the institute’s vision of reducing inequality in social, economic, health, and education outcomes at local, state, national, and global levels through evidence-informed policy and practice.
“Breaking down walls and building bridges is the core mission of the Social Policy Institute,” said Dr. Grinstein-Weiss. “Leadership in policy is needed now more than ever. Social and economic disparities are increasing generation after generation. It is our responsibility, as part of a leading research institution and as world citizens, to leverage our findings and effectively apply what we learn from research so we can discover and implement innovative ways to eliminate or reduce inequities.”
The event was highlighted by a discussion entitled Advancing Social Policy Through Cross-Sector Partnerships moderated by Nisha Patel, Managing Director of Narrative Change and National Initiatives at Robin Hood. A diverse set of panelists shared their perspectives including David Williams, Chief Tax Officer, Intuit; Sandy Fernandez, Senior Director of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth; Adrienne Davis, Vice Provost at Washington University in St. Louis; and Ray Boshara, Director of the Center for Household Financial Stability, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
To conclude the afternoon, Centene Center Faculty Director and behavior economics researcher Dan Ariely, PhD, MA talked about the importance of advancing social policy through transdisciplinary research.
About The Centene Center for Health Transformation
The Centene Center for Health Transformation™ is a community-corporate-academic healthcare partnership that advances life-centric health research to improve lives so that communities can thrive. For more information regarding the Centene Center for Health Transformation, visit https://www.centenecenter.wustl.edu.