The Fundamental Needs Lab focuses on deepening our understanding of social attitudes towards individuals enduring deep poverty, particularly those who lack food and shelter, as well as the behaviors and perspectives of those experiencing it. The lab is committed to bridging the gap between the views of those with plenty and those with plenty of need. It aims to do this primarily by documenting and mitigating individual biases and discrimination against the impoverished, paying attention to how poverty intersects with other identity attributes, such as race, gender identities, and disabled identities.
The lab advocates for increasing the representation of individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in academia, improving how those folks are portrayed in research and studied, and boosting their inclusion as students and faculty. As part of our commitment to promoting equity, we actively incorporate first-generation students and scholars into our research team. By diversifying our perspectives and experiences, we can better understand the complex challenges facing individuals from poorer backgrounds and develop more effective solutions. Our lab is committed to promoting collaboration and community building, and we will work closely with scholars, policymakers, and community organizations to translate our research findings into actionable policies and programs.