Alexandra Stanczyk

Alexandra Stanczyk’s research focuses on programs, policies, and interventions that aim to improve economic security and well-being of children and families. Her work covers a wide range of policy areas—from income support, employment, and work support programs to child welfare, youth, healthy relationship, and family leave programs. A mixed-methods researcher, she has expertise in assessing program and policy impact and implementation. She also provides direct technical assistance to programs to help them use research and analytic methods to improve programs and outcomes.   

Stanczyk currently leads several projects. She is the project director for Project IMPROVE: Improving Program Outcomes Via Evidence-Based Technical Assistance, which provides evidence-based technical assistance to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and related and co-principal investigator for Project LEARN: Family Self-Sufficiency Learning, Engagement, and Research Knowledge Sharing Support. She has also played key roles in family support research and technical assistance projects including the Pathways to Work Evidence Clearinghouse, Evidence Capacity Support, and State and Tribal Technical Assistance and Resources.

Previously, Stanczyk worked at the Urban Institute, where she contributed to quantitative and qualitative studies of work–family supports, child welfare and youth programs, and family economic security. Her research has been published in Family Relations, Families in Society, the Journal of Marriage and Family, and Social Service Review. She holds a Ph.D. and an A.M. (M.S.W. equivalent) from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration.