Elizabeth Burland

Welcome! My name is Elizabeth Burland. I am a mixed-methods scholar, with expertise in quantitative methods for causal analysis using administrative data and qualitative interview methods. My work investigates how interactions between individuals' social, economic, and institutional environments and the policy context contribute to (or reduce) inequality. 

I am currently an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Connecticut's School of Public Policy. I earned my PhD from the University of Michigan in Sociology and Public Policy. Much of my current work focuses on how federal, state, and institutional policies may reduce the relationship between wealth or income and educational attainment. For example, in some of my work I use randomized, controlled trials to investigate how to design policies to reduce the barriers faced by students in selecting high quality postsecondary institutions, and then qualitative research aims to understand the factors and mechanisms shaping student college and career decisions. In other work, I investigate the role of administrative burdens on take-up of state-wide financial aid programs. My work has been funded by the Russell Sage Foundation, the Smith Richardson Foundation, and the Institute of Education Sciences. In addition to research, I enjoy teaching quantitative methods, higher education policy, professional writing, and about equitable use of data for policy research and analysis. Download PDF of my CV here.

When I'm not working, I love to spend time outdoors. In the summer, you'll find me reading on the beach, hiking, or working in my garden. In the winter you'll find me thinking about summer.