Laura R. Peck, Ph.D, joined the Bloustein School in September 2025 as an Associate Professor and Principal Faculty Fellow for the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. She brings an impressive track record of leadership and scholarship. Most recently, she was a Principal Scientist at MEF Associates, where she led the firm’s Income Security and Economic Mobility portfolio. Her work spanned critical areas, including food and housing assistance, safety net services, economic security, and workforce and postsecondary education.
A nationally recognized expert in program evaluation, Dr. Peck specializes in designing experimental and quasi-experimental studies to measure the real-world impact of public programs. Her research has shaped evidence-based policy across sectors — from education and employment to housing and income support.
She currently serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Evaluation and has held prior leadership roles at Abt Associates, including Principal Scientist and Global Director for Research, and Associate Professor in the School of Public Affairs and Associate Dean of Barrett, the Honors College, at Arizona State University. Dr. Peck holds an M.P.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. from New York University.
Research Interests
- Social welfare
- Employment policies and programs
- Evaluation research methods
- Policy analysis