Anupama Jacob, Ph.D.

I received my Ph.D. in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master’s in Economics from Aarhus University, Denmark. With a strong belief in the power of research-informed practice and practice-informed research, I am deeply committed to using research as a tool to address pressing social issues and generate insights that drive meaningful social change.

My research interests center on poverty and inequality in the United States, with additional areas including financial capability and asset building, environmental justice and human flourishing, and faith-based responses to poverty alleviation.

I spent a decade at Azusa Pacific University (APU), where I taught applied research across undergraduate and graduate social work programs and served as APU’s Director of Student Research. Nationally, I contributed to the field as a Commissioner on the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Research for six years. Prior to my doctoral studies, I spent six years at the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, where I served as Publications Manager - a role that enriched my experience in research dissemination and policy engagement.

My professional experience spans project management, quantitative and qualitative research, survey design, program evaluation, data analysis and visualization, and grant writing and management.  Today, I continue to partner with nonprofits and social service organizations to design and implement research and evaluation strategies that are rigorous, actionable, and community-centered.

I am presently engaged in my local community as a member of the Board of Directors for Shepherd’s Pantry, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity and supporting community well-being.