News
Publication of our Report on Municipal Energy Programs
March 28, 2023
Citation: Vicarelli, Marta, Ajay Dawani, Emily Laus, Nihal Warawdekar. 2023. “Community Choice Electricity Programs: a Survey of Massachusetts Municipalities.” School of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA, USA.
LINK to report
Article in the Boston Globe mentioning our work LINK
A peer-reviewed article is in preparation.
2023 World Bank - Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery - GFDRR Partnership Days
May 22-23, Washington DC, USA - Agenda: LINK
Invited keynote talk - Assessing the Benefits and Costs of Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience - Vicarelli, M., Sudmeier-Rieux, K., Alsadadi, A., Kang, M., Leue, M., Schütze, S., Shrestha, A., Steciuk, E., Wasielewski, D., Mysiak, J., McAndrew, S., Marr, M., and Vance, M.: Economic benefits of ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and ecosystem-based climate change adaptation: a global review.
Presenters bios LINK
European Geophysical Union General Assembly Meeting 2023
April 27, 2023
We will present our research on Nature-based Solutions at EGU2023.
SESSION
ITS3.4/SSS0.1 - Climate Extremes & Risk: impacts, nature-based disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation
room 0.94/95 on Thursday, 27 April 2023, 12:10:
PRESENTATION
EGU23-9646
Economic benefits of ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and ecosystem-based climate change adaptation: a global review
by Marta Vicarelli et al.
Session details: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU23/session/46882
Research project on Energy Aggregation Programs in Massachusetts
March 28, 2023
Our research team has recently produced a report summarizing the preliminary findings of our research project on comunity choice energy aggregation programs in MA.
UMass News: LINK
Schoo of Public Policy: Report
School of Social and Behavioral Science: LINK
Massachusetts Municipal Association: article
UNEP project featured in UMass News
October 20, 2022
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Parthers for Resilience created a series of 5 documentaries about the Eco-DRR projects for which the UMass team provided equity and efficiency assessments.
UMass News: LINK
UNEP reports and documentaries: LINK
SPP news: LINK
Economic analysis - reports: LINK
Presentation at Naturance Workshop
October 18, 2022
University of Venice Ca' Foscari (Italy) -- Prof Vicarelli presented our work on Eco-DRR projects in partnerships with the United Nations Environmental Programme and Parthers for Resilience.
The Naturance workshop is the kick-off meeting for the 5M Naturance grant financed by the European Union to study the synergies between nature conservation and the insurance sector.
SLIDES: LINK
Economic analysis - reports: LINK
UNEP reports and documentaries: LINK
Our work in UNEP reports
October 20, 2022
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Parthers for Resilience created a series of 5 documentaries about the Eco-DRR projects for which the UMass team provided equity and efficiency assessments.
UNEP reports and documentaries: LINK
SPP news: LINK
Economic analysis - reports: LINK
Our work in UNEP documentaries
October 20, 2022
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Parthers for Resilience created a series of 5 documentaries about the Eco-DRR projects for which the UMass team provided equity and efficiency assessments. Our UMass team is included in the credits of the documentary.
UNEP reports and documentaries: LINK
SPP news: LINK
Economic analysis - reports: LINK
Flood Knwoledge Summit - United Nations University
July 7-8, 2022
Prof Vicarelli was invited as guest speaker at the Flood Knowledge Summit 2022, hosted by United Nations University Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT), Maastricht, the Netherlands (hybrid event)
She presented the results of a survey of officials from 111 Massachusetts cities and towns published in November 2021 by the UMass Northeast Center for Coastal Resilience.
2022_05_22_EGU_Nature-based solutions_Vicarelli.pdfEuropean Geophysical Union General Assembly Meeting
May 24, 2022
Marta Vicarelli presented our reserach project on Nature-based Solutions in session ITS4.4/ERE1.10 – Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Engineering in Climate Governance, room N1 on Tuesday, 24 May 2022, 16:22 CEST (10:22 am EST) -- EGU22-13010 - Scientific evidence of the economic benefits of ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction and ecosystem-based climate change adaptation.
You can find videos and slides:
on the conference website if you are registered to the conference
on our google drive for those of you who have not registered to the conference.
Presentation on COVID-19 impacts on Women in Massachusetts
May 5, 2022
The Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts has organized an round-table to discuss the changes and trends in the women's workforce in Western Massachusetts . UMass Amherst economist Marta Vicarelli and a team of researchers from the UMass School of Public Policy gave a presentation about their recently released research report, “Impacts of COVID-19: A Survey of Massachusetts Households.”
Invited Lecturer at the United Nations University in Bonn, Germany
Post date: April 20, 2022
Professor Vicarelli was invited as guest lecturer at the United Nations University, Institute for Environment and Human Security in Bonn, Germany. She gave a lecture on Economic Valuation of Environmental Goods and Services, with a spcial focus on the economic valuations of Nature-based Solutions.
To learn more about economic valuation of Nature-based Solutions please click here
Presentation on COVID-19 impacts at the Massachusetts Municipal Association on Human Services Council
April 29, 2022
The MMA Human Services Council’s first meeting of the year, on April 28 in Westborough, focused on the impacts of COVID-19 on Massachusetts residents. UMass Amherst economist Marta Vicarelli and a team of researchers from the UMass School of Public Policy gave a presentation about their recently released research report, “Impacts of COVID-19: A Survey of Massachusetts Households.”
Presentation at Temple University: impacts of COVID-19 on US households
April 25, 2022
UMass Amherst economist Marta Vicarelli and a team of researchers from the UMass School of Public Policy gave a presentation about their soon to be published research report, “Impacts of COVID-19: A Survey of US Households.”
La Foce, Italy
New GRANT: post-COVID-19 green recovery
March 7, 2022
FAPESP : LINK
UMASS news: LINK
The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) announces the result of a call for proposals with the Trans-Atlantic Platform for the Social Sciences and Humanities (T-AP) to support research to strengthen social practices and policies with the understanding and mitigation of the negative effects of the pandemic.
The call, with the theme "Recovery, Renewal and Resilience in a Post-Pandemic World (RRR)", leverages research in social sciences to fill gaps in the understanding of the dynamics and complex interaction between the medium and long-term social effects of the COVID-19.
19 proposals received the grant including our project:
Towards a green and inclusive post-pandemic recovery of the Blue Economy and coastal communities
Funders involved: ESRC; NSF; IDRC; BMBF/DLR-PT
This project will provide science-based guidance for post COVID recovery of coastal communities through a trans-national comparative study across coastal areas in Costa Rica, Germany, Scotland (UK), and the USA. The project aims to determine key enabling factors across all regions that lead to response performance so as to inform the development of future strategies for a green and inclusive coastal recovery.
Lead Principal Investigator: Fabrice Renaud, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Glasgow, UK
Principal Investigators:
Marta Vicarelli, Department of Economics and School of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts, USA
Zita Sebesvari), United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security, Bonn, Germany
Catalina Esquivel Rodríguez, School of Public Administration, University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Talk on Coastal Resilience in MA
Feb 16, 2022
Prof Vicarelli was invited by the Boston chapter of the Citizens' Climate Lobby to give a talk on coastal resilience in Massachusetts Municipalities. She presented the results of a survey of officials from 111 Massachusetts cities and towns published in November 2021 by the UMass Northeast Center for Coastal Resilience.
Boston Globe, January 26, 2022
Boston Globe article covering our survey-study on climate resilience in Massachusetts
January 26, 2022
Boston Globe : LINK
A survey of officials from 111 Massachusetts cities and towns published in November 2021 by the UMass Northeast Center for Coastal Resilience found that virtually all respondents observed climate change impacts in their communities. Most, including in Chelsea, said their communities have conducted vulnerability and risk assessments. [...]
Marta Vicarelli, an assistant professor with the Department of Economics and School of Public Policy at UMass Amherst, said researchers were surprised by the breadth of the responses they received from 40 coastal and 71 inland municipalities. “They actually poured their hearts into these answers,” Vicarelli said. “The respondents know their stuff, and they know what they need.”
Officials in 73 percent of coastal communities said they were strongly affected by severe storms and high-wind events. A majority also reported being strongly affected by storm surges, sea-level rise, and flooding.
Officials in 43 percent of inland communities said they were strongly affected by severe storms and high-wind events. About a third reported being strongly affected by heat waves and flooding.
Municipal officials who responded to the UMass survey were kept anonymous, but many of the comments revealed frustration, concerns about funding, and at times, dire predictions if action is not taken immediately on climate change.
“[We are] trying to figure out what to armor, and when to retreat and how to pay for this,” said an official from a coastal town. “We know it is only a matter of time, as shorelines are washing away faster and faster. Right now property values are surging, because of our attractiveness, but one good storm, things will change.”
An official from a coastal city fretted over the slow pace of the community’s response: “Fear is preventing us from doing anything. Fear of an exodus of residents. Fear of lawsuits.”
Warned another official from a coastal city: “The barriers are money and disbelief.” [...]
Project website: LINK
Report: LINK
SPP News: LINK
ClimateConversationFinal.pdfTalk on Coastal Resilience in MA - Cape Anne
Jan 19, 2022
Prof Vicarelli was invited by the UMass Gloucester Marine Station and the Cape Anne Climate Coalition to give a talk on coastal resilience in Massachusetts Municipalities. She presented the results of a survey of officials from 111 Massachusetts cities and towns published in November 2021 by the UMass Northeast Center for Coastal Resilience.
New report release: comprehensive outlook on climate reislience in Massachusetts
November 4, 2021
University of Massachusetts Amherst News and Media Relations: LINK
A comprehensive new report published today by a team of 20 researchers representing four University of Massachusetts system campuses provides valuable insight into the various climate resilience approaches being undertaken by municipalities across Massachusetts. Led by UMass Amherst economist Marta Vicarelli, and assisted by the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), the researchers conducted a survey of Massachusetts municipal administrators. The responses they received from representatives of 111 municipalities and 10 planning agencies shed new light on numerous climate change-related issues facing the Masachusetts’ cities and towns, including the hazards and impacts experienced in coastal and inland municipalities and the resilience strategies adopted to address these challenges, the barriers encountered during the design and implementation of resilience strategies and the data needs of communities and planning agencies to aid implementation of resilience strategies.
Press release: LINK
SPP News: LINK
Project website: LINK
Report: LINK
New report release: impacts of COVID-19 on Vermont households
September 16 , 2021
UMass Amherst economist Marta Vicarelli and a team of researchers from the UMass School of Public Policy published a research report on “Impacts of COVID-19: A Survey of Vermont Households.” The study was developed in partnership with the Vermont Commission on Women, Vermont Women’s Fund and Vermont Works for Women
Project details: LINK
Report: LINK
Press Release by the Vermont Commission on Woment: LINK
UMass Amherst-led Team of Researchers Reveals COVID’s Impact on Vermont Households (UMass Amherst, 9/30/21)
Press:
UMass Amherst-led Team of Researchers Reveals COVID’s Impact on Vermont Households (UMass Amherst, 9/30/21)
WTSA News For Your Thursday, September 30th (WTSA FM, 9/30/21)
Our stress is real | Editorials (Eagle Times, 10/2/21)
Our stress is real | Editorials (Rutland Herald, 10/2/21)
2021 PEDRR Cross-regional Symposium: link
Our research on Nature-based Solutions was awarded the PEDRR Champion Award at PEDRR-United Nations Symposium
September 16, 2021
University of Massachusetts Amherst News and Media Relations: LINK
Our work on the economics of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) was recognized at the PEDRR Cross-regional Symposium, co-organized by the United Nations Environmental Programme, with the symposium's PEDRR Champion Award.
In our presentation we shared preliminary results of a global assessment of twenty years of economic peer-reviewed literature on NbS, focused on the efficiency and equity of these strategies.
School of Public Policy students Michael Kang, Madeline Leue, Michael Marr, Shannon McAndrew, Miranda Vance, and David Wasielewski; Aryen Shrestha of Amherst College; and Simon Shutze of the United Nations University contributed to the study, which was supported by a College of Social and Behavioral Sciences research grant.
Project website: LINK
A poster summarizing the research findings is available here: LINK
SPP News: LINK
2021 PEDRR Cross-regional Symposium: link
September 16, 2021
Our project on green infrastructure in Nepal has been presented during the technical session of the first PEDRR Cross-regional Symposium, co-organized by the United Nations Environmental Programme.
Nature Based Solutions applied to road infrastructure in Nepal, a vehicle for development
Research team: Marta Vicarelli1, Karen Sudmeier-Rieux2, DhirojKoirala1, Sanjay Devkota3, Maria Fernandez1 and Trista Ristvedt1
Affiliations: 1University of Massachusetts Amherst (USA), 2UNEP, 3Tribhuvan University (Nepal)
Project website: LINK
A poster summarizing our findings is available here: LINK
2021 PEDRR Cross-regional Symposium: link
September 15, 2021
University of Massachusetts Amherst News and Media Relations: LINK
Professor Marta Vicarelli gave a keynote at the first PEDRR Cross-regional Symposium, co-organized by the United Nations Environmental Programme.
The Keynote focused on the UN Global Sustainable Solutions Winter School, which was codeveloped by the School of Public Policy, United Nations University and Mcmaster University.
She also presented a reserach project related to the Winter school.
Project website: LINK
A poster summarizing the research findings is available here: LINK
SPP News: LINK
Monday, June 28, 2021
In this article we show that ecosystems play an important role in reducing disaster risk.
A multi-disciplinary team of 28 researchers has now examined nearly 20 years’ worth of peer-reviewed studies on the impacts of ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts. Marta Vicarelli led the globa review of economic studies.
Press Release LINK
Peer-reviewed article LINK
The economic analysis component is currently be expanded in this study
2021 Advanced Energy Conference: link
June 7, 2021
Our team has presented a poster showing the preliminary results of our online survey targeting Massachusetts municipal leaders. We examine the original goals motivating the adoption of Community Choice Energy Aggregation (CCE) programs by MA municipalities and their reported reasons for success.
CCE programs allow local governments to aggregate the electricity loads of residents, businesses, and municipal facilities to procure a competitive supply of electricity.
Potential benefits of CCE programs include savings for consumers (i.e., lower prices) and incentives to boost innovation and local economic development related to investments in renewable energy technologies. Moreover, CCEs may generate positive environmental externalities; by choosing their electricity supplier, municipalities may, for instance, increase the proportion of renewable energies in their energy mix and contribute to climate change mitigation.
This is the first study assessing the outcomes of CCE programs in MA.
Presentations of preliminary results by the students involved in these projects.
Video of 2021 School of Public Policy Workshop lead by Prof Vicarelli
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Prof Vicarelli has supervised three projects as part of the 2021 School of Public Policy Workshop.
Socio-economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Massachusetts Municipalities - Anna Gishin, Elizabeth Murphy, George Plouffe, Madeline Leue, Yu Ya Htut Tin.
Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction - Aryen Shrestha, David Wasielewski, Michael Kang, Michael Marr, Miranda Vance, Shannon McAndrew, Simon Schütze
LGBTQrowd (pronounced LGBT Crowd): a crowd-funding platform connecting donors and lenders to projects to create economic opportunities for low-income LGBTI people - Derek Dunlea and Taylor Lewis
Press release: LINK
Research teams from SUP Lab present at the 2021 Workshop in Public Policy
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Congratulations to our research fellows for their wonderful presentations!
Socio-economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Massachusetts Municipalities - Anna Gishin, Elizabeth Murphy, George Plouffe, Madeline Leue, Yu Ya Htut Tin.
Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction - Aryen Shrestha, David Wasielewski, Michael Kang, Michael Marr, Miranda Vance, Shannon McAndrew, Simon Schütze
Link to video-recording
Press release: LINK
Invited Lecturer at the United Nations University in Bonn, Germany
Post date: April 28, 2021
Professor Vicarelli was invited as guest lecturer at the United Nations University, Institute for Environment and Human Security in Bonn, Germany. She gave a lecture on Economic Valuation of Environmental Goods and Services, with a spcial focus on the economic valuations of Nature-based Solutions.
To learn more about economic valuation of Nature-based Solutions please click here
Ajay Dawani receives LeBovidge Undergraduate Research Award
Post date: April 28, 2021
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences has awarded the the prestigious LeBovidge Undergraduate Research Award to Ajay Dawani. This award will support Ajay as he contributes to our research project on municipal renewable energy policies in Massachusetts during summer 2021. Congratulations Ajay!
Presentation on Eco-safe Infrastructure in Nepal
European Geophysical Union General Assemply 2021
Post date: April 27, 2021
Professor Vicarelli and doctoral student Dhiroj Koirala are collaborating with colleagues from the United Nations Environemntal Program on a project on Nepal green road infrastructure.
This study performs a cost benefit analysis (CBA) exploring the net benefit of grey (traditional) roads vs eco-safe (bio-engineered, green) roads using different time horizons and precipitation distributions associated to monsoonal activity and climate change trends. The CBA results demonstrate that initial costs in installing the bio-engineered eco-safe road are higher than for the “grey” road, however the bio-engineered road rapidly becomes more cost-effective, especially when factoring in avoided damages and multiple co-benefits to the population.
Findings from this work have already led to policy recommendations promoting and upscaling a more sustainable approach to bio-engineering for rural road construction in Nepal as well as methodological recommendations for replicating and up-scaling similar studies elsewhere.
Reference:
Vicarelli, M., Sudmeier-Rieux, K., Koirala, D., and Devkota, S.: Nature Based Solutions applied to road infrastructure in Nepal, a vehicle for development., EGU General Assembly 2021, online, 19–30 Apr 2021, EGU21-6973, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-6973, 2021.
Presentation for students in the UMass Sociology Department
Post date: April 26, 2021
Our reserach team was invited by Prof. Sanjiv Gupta to present our findings on the impacts of COVID-19 on Massachusetts Households to students in the sociology department. Research fellows Anna Gishin, Elizabeth Murphy, Madeline Leue and Yu Ya Htu Tin joined professor Vicarelli in a group presentation and panel discussion during the class Public Sociology, lead by Prof. Gupta.
To learn more click here
Emily Laus receives the William Lee Science Impact Program Fellowship
Post date: April 28, 2021
Emily has received the very competitive William Lee Science Impact Program fellowship. Emily is currently contributing to our research project on municipal renewable energy policies in Massachusetts. Congratulations Emily!
Post date: April 20, 2021
Our research on the economic evaluation of Nature based Solutions (NbS) for Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (EbA) received the University of Massachusetts - College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Dean's Research Council Grant.
Presentation on Nature Based Solutions
European Geophysical Union General Assemply 2021
Post date: April 20, 2021
Our research team presented preliminary results of a survey-based study investigatings how scholars from different disciplines perceive Nature Based Solutions (NBS) and how they differ in their NBS implementation approach at the local level. Graduate stduents from the University of Massachusetts Amherst's School of Public Policy and Department of Economics, McMaster University, and the United Nations University contributed to this project.
Reference:
Vicarelli, M. and Nagabhatla, N.: Differences in Nature Based Solutions perception and implementation strategies across academic disciplines, an empirical analysis, EGU General Assembly 2021, online, 19–30 Apr 2021, EGU21-3767, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu21-3767, 2021.
Post Date: March 11, 2021
UMass Amherst researchers find 60% are confident in their municipality’s vaccine preparedness, while similar percentage said businesses were significantly or severely impacted by the pandemic.
While 75% of municipalities reported having enough financial resources to start vaccination clinics, 72% indicated that they do not have access to sufficient vaccine supply. In response to an open-ended survey question asking what the most helpful resource would be to support municipal vaccine distribution efforts, 63% of respondents identified a larger and more continuous vaccine supply as the most important resource.
Seoul's Cheonggyecheon River in South Korea is an example of urban green infrastructure to reduce flooding and improve the urban landscape. Photo Credit: Jessica Gardner
University of Massachusetts Amherst News and Media Relations
Post date: March 2, 2021
This spring, students at the School of Public Policy (SPP) are examining how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Massachusetts communities, developing resources on Nature-Based Solutions to pressing global problems and working to support economic opportunities for LGBTI people around the world.
The students are taking part in the projects through SPP’s Public Policy Workshop course, lead by Professor Marta Vicarelli, in which teams of students are matched with clients to work on issues related to policy and economic analysis.
Press release: LINK
Pandemic Inspires Mothers of Equitable Reinvention
Updated Feb 16, 2021; Posted Feb 15, 2021
Vicarelli and her team have been collecting data across the region, the state and the nation for their research on the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 on US households. As Vicarelli adds, “(Our) survey has an ambitious multidimensional approach investigating labor productivity, work-life balance, impacts of education and childcare disruptions on family life, access to health care and mental health support, homelessness, and food security.”
Spring 2021 EURA fellowships
Post date: January, 2021
The Socio-Economic Policy lab congratulates one of our research fellows for receiving the Spring 2021 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant (EURA) fellowship:
Anna Gishin is a senior pursuing an honors dual degree in Operations & Information Management and Economics at UMass Amherst.
Currently, Anna is part of a research team of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Indiana University investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households. Anna is also contributing to a study exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on Massachusetts Municipalities.
ICMA is the world’s leading association of professional city and county managers and other employees who serve local governments.
ICMA
Dec 7, 2020 | ARTICLE
The surging numbers are sobering, but COVID-19 has indirectly impacted far more than those counted among cases and deaths. Looking to capture these impacts even beyond official data on unemployment, business closures, and other routine economic indicators, a team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Department of Economics and School of Public Policy, and from Indiana University’s School of Social Work is studying how U.S. households have been altered by the ongoing pandemic.
University of Massachusetts Amherst News and Media Relations
Post date: December 4, 2020
“This program is an incredible opportunity for students to learn from and network with international experts about water security and ecosystems for disaster risk reduction,” Professor Vicarelli said. Vicarelli of the School of Public Policy and Department of Economics co-organized this competitive course. The course is possible thanks to the support of the PEDRR.
UMass News Office
UMass News LINK
SPP News LINK
Post date: Dec 4, 2020
Thirty students from departments across UMass Amherst are taking part in the UN Global Sustainable Solutions Winter School, a ten-week course focused on ecosystem-based climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction that kicked off this week. The initiative received the support of the PEDRR. Besides UMass students, the Winter School includes also students from McMaster University and the United Nations University. The class, a partnership of those three programs, was organized by Professor Marta Vicarelli of the School of Public Policy and Department of Economics and Nidhi Nagabhatla of the UN University and McMaster.
School of Public Policy News
Post date: November 10, 2020
UMass Amherst graduate students are invited to apply for the UN Global Sustainable Solutions Winter School, a free, ten-week course focused on ecosystem-based climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. The course is a partnership between the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy, McMaster University, and the United Nations University.
“Students will learn from international experts about water security and ecosystems for disaster risk reduction,” said Professor Marta Vicarelli at UMass Amherst School of Public Policy and Department of Economics, who is organizing the course with Nidhi Nagabhatla of the United Nations University and McMaster University.
University of Massachusetts Amherst News and Media Relations
Post date: October 6, 2020
Marta Vicarelli, assistant professor in SPP and the Department of Economics, is leading an interdisciplinary team that includes: UMass undergraduate student Yu Ya Htut Tin, School of Public Policy (SPP) graduate students Madeline Leue and George Plouffe, 2020 UMass alumni Elizabeth Murphy and Yash Tiagi. The team is collaborating with Meredith Canada of Indiana Univeristy School of Social Work.
The team is investigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on US households, particularly on minorities, women and children.
Additional coverage:
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Fall 2020 EURA fellowships
Post date: September, 2020
The Socio-Economic Policy lab congratulates two of our research fellows for receiving the Fall 2020 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant (EURA) fellowship:
Yu Ya Htut Tin (right) is a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she is double-majoring in Mathematics (Statistics and Data Science) and Economics. Currently, Yu Ya is part of a research team of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Indiana University investigating the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on households. Yu Ya is also contributing to a study exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on Massachusetts Municipalities.
--
Ajay Dawani (left) is an undergraduate student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is pursuing a major in Resource Economics and a minor in Information Technology. Currently, Ajay is contributing to a study that explores renewable energy markest and policies in Massachusetts municipalities.
School of Public Policy News
Post date: March 10, 2020
This spring, students at the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy are developing recommendations for a local town for dealing with the recent legalization of cannabis and examining the factors that keep women under- or unemployed in the region. Professor Marta Vicarelli of the School of Public Policy and the Department of Economics supervises the teams and acts as a senior consultant on the projects.
Spring 2020 EURA fellowships
Post date: January, 2020
The Socio-Economic Policy lab congratulates two of our research fellows for receiving the Spring 2020 Economics Undergraduate Research Assistant (EURA) fellowship:
John Stevenson (right) is graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the Fall of 2020, majoring in Economics with a minor in Managerial Economics. Currently, John is contributing to a study that explores renewable energy markest and policies in Massachusetts municipalities.
--
Zachary Ettridge (left) is a Junior Economics and Finance dual-degree candidate at the Univeristy of Massachusetts, Amherst. Currently, Zach is contributing to a study that explores renewable energy markest and policies in Massachusetts municipalities.
School of Public Policy News
Post date: April 30, 2019
This spring, Professor Marta Vicarelli of the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy and the Department of Economics connected students in her graduate-level Environmental Policy course with international experts working on innovative sustainability efforts around the world—without ever leaving the classroom.
Vicarelli did so with the help of a Ken Feinberg Course Development Grant. The grant, made possible by a gift from UMass Amherst alumnus Ken Feinberg (’67, ’02H), included access to the Feinberg Innovation Space, a new classroom facility with cutting-edge audio and video capabilities.
University News and Media Relations Office
Post date: May 9, 2018
Professor Marta Vicarelli of SPP and the economics department served as the group’s faculty advisor to School of Public Policy (SPP) students Toby Armstrong, Madeleine Neill and James Sullivan who won first place at the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Society of Public Administration’s (MassASPA) 2018 Capstone Competition.
The SPP team won with its project “Cannabis Legalization: Challenges & Opportunities in Small Communities,” which used the town of Deerfield as a case study.
New Publication in Nature Sustainability
Our PEDRR posts (yesterday) where we tagged all those institutions who requested it plus PEDRR partners:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PEDRRnetwork/status/1410571167765762048?s=20
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PEDRRnetwork/photos/a.451634244928047/4066731396751629/
Press releases:
The UMass News Office published the press release on the University website:
https://www.umass.edu/news/article/international-multi-disciplinary-team-researchers-provide-examination-evidence
U Mass School of Public Policy :
https://www.umass.edu/spp/news/study-examines-nature-based-solutions-environmental-hazards
CMCC, Italy: https://www.cmcc.it/article/extreme-events-protect-with-ecosystems-is-cost-effective