Melissa Gentry
@melissadgentry.bsky.social
AP in economics at USF | interested in disability policy | Small town FL native | she/her
Pinned
Excited to share two big announcements: I successfully defended my dissertation today, and I'll be returning to University of South Florida as an assistant professor in economics this fall!! So excited to be a Bull again! 🤘
Bsky was acting odd yesterday - I’m reposting so this doesn’t get lost in the shuffle!
🚨New NBER working paper with Ian Burn and Joanna Lahey: did the post-pandemic rise in remote work raise employment for disabled and older workers in the UK?
Remote work post-Covid boosts employment and lowers commute time for disabled and older workers in the UK but comes with lower wages, from Ian Burn, Melissa D. Gentry, and Joanna Lahey www.nber.org/papers/w35791
October 1, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Bsky was acting odd yesterday - I’m reposting so this doesn’t get lost in the shuffle!
🚨New NBER working paper with Ian Burn and Joanna Lahey: did the post-pandemic rise in remote work raise employment for disabled and older workers in the UK?
Remote work post-Covid boosts employment and lowers commute time for disabled and older workers in the UK but comes with lower wages, from Ian Burn, Melissa D. Gentry, and Joanna Lahey www.nber.org/papers/w35791
September 30, 2026 at 3:35 PM
🚨New NBER working paper with Ian Burn and Joanna Lahey: did the post-pandemic rise in remote work raise employment for disabled and older workers in the UK?
Are you a disability researcher working in the FSRDC wondering where the 1980s disability variable in the CPS went? I've written a CES Technical Note describing my process of bringing in those missing data! ideas.repec.org/p/cen/tnotes...
September 16, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Are you a disability researcher working in the FSRDC wondering where the 1980s disability variable in the CPS went? I've written a CES Technical Note describing my process of bringing in those missing data! ideas.repec.org/p/cen/tnotes...
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
Children removed from Supplemental Security Income and their siblings do not experience worse long-term outcomes when parents offset benefit loss with additional earnings, from Manasi Deshpande, Alessandra Voena, and Jason B. Weitze www.nber.org/papers/w35725
September 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Children removed from Supplemental Security Income and their siblings do not experience worse long-term outcomes when parents offset benefit loss with additional earnings, from Manasi Deshpande, Alessandra Voena, and Jason B. Weitze www.nber.org/papers/w35725
It’s time for my annual first day of the school year pic - but for the first time I’m not the student! Phanty still hates this tradition but I’m excited about this first semester as an assistant professor!
August 24, 2026 at 12:03 PM
It’s time for my annual first day of the school year pic - but for the first time I’m not the student! Phanty still hates this tradition but I’m excited about this first semester as an assistant professor!
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
have you all seen jimothy
July 17, 2026 at 8:50 PM
have you all seen jimothy
Before I graduated, I sat down with Texas A&M Arts & Sciences marketing and communications team to discuss my research agenda!
tx.ag/GentryEconomics
tx.ag/GentryEconomics
Driving Inclusion
Inspired by personal experience and a passion for public policy, Texas A&M University economist and recent doctoral graduate Melissa Gentry studies how transportation, employment and accessibility sha...
tx.ag
July 17, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Before I graduated, I sat down with Texas A&M Arts & Sciences marketing and communications team to discuss my research agenda!
tx.ag/GentryEconomics
tx.ag/GentryEconomics
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
Are you or one of your students going on the #EconJobMarket this year? If so, you should check out two new resources that I posted to my website today.
lillyspringer.github.io/JobMarket_No...
lillyspringer.github.io/JobMarket_Sl...
lillyspringer.github.io/JobMarket_No...
lillyspringer.github.io/JobMarket_Sl...
June 15, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Are you or one of your students going on the #EconJobMarket this year? If so, you should check out two new resources that I posted to my website today.
lillyspringer.github.io/JobMarket_No...
lillyspringer.github.io/JobMarket_Sl...
lillyspringer.github.io/JobMarket_No...
lillyspringer.github.io/JobMarket_Sl...
So excited to see this work in print! This is part of a larger RCT on middle school parental engagement so be on the lookout for more!
1/ 📢 New paper recently published in AEA Papers and Proceedings with Kalena Cortes, @melissadgentry.bsky.social, & @mirandainez.bsky.social:
“Digital Incentives in Surveys: Response Rates and Sociodemographic Effects in a Large-Scale Parental Nudge Intervention”
🔗 www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
“Digital Incentives in Surveys: Response Rates and Sociodemographic Effects in a Large-Scale Parental Nudge Intervention”
🔗 www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
Digital Incentives in Surveys: Response Rates and Sociodemographic Effects in a Large-Scale Parental Nudge Intervention
(May 2026) - This study examines how digital incentives influence survey participation and engagement in a large randomized controlled trial of parents across six school districts. We test how incenti...
www.aeaweb.org
May 18, 2026 at 2:26 PM
So excited to see this work in print! This is part of a larger RCT on middle school parental engagement so be on the lookout for more!
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
84% of working-age Canadians with disabilities lack Disability Tax Credit certification — meaning most can't access the Canada Disability Benefit or 12 other federal supports the DTC has come to gate.
New report by @gillianpetit.bsky.social:
inclusiecon.ca/announcement-broken-links.html
New report by @gillianpetit.bsky.social:
inclusiecon.ca/announcement-broken-links.html
May 8, 2026 at 8:50 PM
84% of working-age Canadians with disabilities lack Disability Tax Credit certification — meaning most can't access the Canada Disability Benefit or 12 other federal supports the DTC has come to gate.
New report by @gillianpetit.bsky.social:
inclusiecon.ca/announcement-broken-links.html
New report by @gillianpetit.bsky.social:
inclusiecon.ca/announcement-broken-links.html
🚨New resource on my website: recovered CPS March Supplement work disability variables for 1981–87 (years that are missing from both IPUMS and NBER public files).
Includes documentation + merge instructions for NBER and IPUMS extracts!
🔗 melissa-gentry.github.io/resources/
Includes documentation + merge instructions for NBER and IPUMS extracts!
🔗 melissa-gentry.github.io/resources/
Resources
melissa-gentry.github.io
May 6, 2026 at 2:36 PM
🚨New resource on my website: recovered CPS March Supplement work disability variables for 1981–87 (years that are missing from both IPUMS and NBER public files).
Includes documentation + merge instructions for NBER and IPUMS extracts!
🔗 melissa-gentry.github.io/resources/
Includes documentation + merge instructions for NBER and IPUMS extracts!
🔗 melissa-gentry.github.io/resources/
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
Rise fans, this is not a drill!
🥰😍 Rise Plushie 😍🥰
Official, NASA‑approved Rise merch is now available online: nasaexchange.com
🥰😍 Rise Plushie 😍🥰
Official, NASA‑approved Rise merch is now available online: nasaexchange.com
April 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Rise fans, this is not a drill!
🥰😍 Rise Plushie 😍🥰
Official, NASA‑approved Rise merch is now available online: nasaexchange.com
🥰😍 Rise Plushie 😍🥰
Official, NASA‑approved Rise merch is now available online: nasaexchange.com
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
I know we get inured to stuff, but it is hard to fathom the cruelty here.
At a time of tax cuts for the most powerful, they are trying to remove basic supports for the most vulnerable.
The Trump administration's war on people with disabilities continues.
At a time of tax cuts for the most powerful, they are trying to remove basic supports for the most vulnerable.
The Trump administration's war on people with disabilities continues.
NEW: A rule change pushed by White House officials would slash benefits or end support for as many as 400,000 Supplemental Security Income recipients with Down syndrome, dementia and other disabilities whose parents or relatives receive SNAP benefits.
The Trump Administration Aims to Penalize Disabled Adults Who Live With Their Families
A rule change pushed by White House officials would slash benefits or end support for as many as 400,000 Supplemental Security Income recipients with Down syndrome, dementia and other disabilities who...
www.propublica.org
April 28, 2026 at 1:36 PM
I know we get inured to stuff, but it is hard to fathom the cruelty here.
At a time of tax cuts for the most powerful, they are trying to remove basic supports for the most vulnerable.
The Trump administration's war on people with disabilities continues.
At a time of tax cuts for the most powerful, they are trying to remove basic supports for the most vulnerable.
The Trump administration's war on people with disabilities continues.
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
🚨New working paper alert! 🚨
The US spends huge $ on special education services for students with disabilities. Is that spending effective?
Today we released a working paper suggesting it is.
"Special Education Substantially Improves Learning: Evidence from Three States"
Let me explain...
The US spends huge $ on special education services for students with disabilities. Is that spending effective?
Today we released a working paper suggesting it is.
"Special Education Substantially Improves Learning: Evidence from Three States"
Let me explain...
March 30, 2026 at 12:31 PM
🚨New working paper alert! 🚨
The US spends huge $ on special education services for students with disabilities. Is that spending effective?
Today we released a working paper suggesting it is.
"Special Education Substantially Improves Learning: Evidence from Three States"
Let me explain...
The US spends huge $ on special education services for students with disabilities. Is that spending effective?
Today we released a working paper suggesting it is.
"Special Education Substantially Improves Learning: Evidence from Three States"
Let me explain...
You know your TBR list has gotten long when you see “book flight” on your to do list and don’t think booking a plane ticket (which was correct) but instead think it means a flight of books 👀
March 28, 2026 at 12:50 PM
You know your TBR list has gotten long when you see “book flight” on your to do list and don’t think booking a plane ticket (which was correct) but instead think it means a flight of books 👀
So excited to see this in print at National Tax Journal!
March 17, 2026 at 8:05 PM
So excited to see this in print at National Tax Journal!
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
A stunning (yet unsurprising) graph of who gets identified for special versus gifted education in Oregon. Graph reported by @mattbarnum.bsky.social.
March 13, 2026 at 1:08 PM
A stunning (yet unsurprising) graph of who gets identified for special versus gifted education in Oregon. Graph reported by @mattbarnum.bsky.social.
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
SSI supports 7.4M low-income seniors & people with disabilities but outdated rules and low benefits leave millions in poverty.
Our new paper from @socio-steve.bsky.social and @jacklandry.bsky.social models what would happen if Congress modernized SSI. The results are striking. 🧵👇
Full report:
Our new paper from @socio-steve.bsky.social and @jacklandry.bsky.social models what would happen if Congress modernized SSI. The results are striking. 🧵👇
Full report:
Estimating the Cost and Impacts of the SSI Restoration Act
Stephen Nuñez and Jack Landry find that the SSI Restoration Act would cut poverty among SSI households by nearly 60 percent while updating and strengthening the program.
rooseveltinstitute.org
March 3, 2026 at 2:25 PM
SSI supports 7.4M low-income seniors & people with disabilities but outdated rules and low benefits leave millions in poverty.
Our new paper from @socio-steve.bsky.social and @jacklandry.bsky.social models what would happen if Congress modernized SSI. The results are striking. 🧵👇
Full report:
Our new paper from @socio-steve.bsky.social and @jacklandry.bsky.social models what would happen if Congress modernized SSI. The results are striking. 🧵👇
Full report:
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
Idaho's proposal to essentially end home care is the first sign that last year's tax cut bill could be disastrous for people with disabilities in the U.S.
Terrific, worrisome story from @slooterman.bsky.social
19thnews.org/2026/03/idah...
Terrific, worrisome story from @slooterman.bsky.social
19thnews.org/2026/03/idah...
Idaho considers an 'apocalyptic' choice for disabled people and families
Difficult budget decisions in a number of states are threatening vital programs for disabled people at home and caregivers in the workforce.
19thnews.org
March 2, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Idaho's proposal to essentially end home care is the first sign that last year's tax cut bill could be disastrous for people with disabilities in the U.S.
Terrific, worrisome story from @slooterman.bsky.social
19thnews.org/2026/03/idah...
Terrific, worrisome story from @slooterman.bsky.social
19thnews.org/2026/03/idah...
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
I'm thrilled to announce a new report I wrote with @ksavin.bsky.social and @calliefreitag.bsky.social on the impact of DOGE/Trump 2.0 turmoil on Social Security disability programs.
As the title says, these programs have always been tough to navigate. But in the last year, they've gotten worse.
As the title says, these programs have always been tough to navigate. But in the last year, they've gotten worse.
“In the last year, it’s gotten a lot worse” A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers to Disability Benefits in 2025 - DREDF
The Mobility Device User Survey (MDUS) reported here was stimulated by reports from mobility device users of the many problems, limitations, and long waits associated with the process of acquiring a m...
dredf.org
March 2, 2026 at 5:34 PM
I'm thrilled to announce a new report I wrote with @ksavin.bsky.social and @calliefreitag.bsky.social on the impact of DOGE/Trump 2.0 turmoil on Social Security disability programs.
As the title says, these programs have always been tough to navigate. But in the last year, they've gotten worse.
As the title says, these programs have always been tough to navigate. But in the last year, they've gotten worse.
Excited to share two big announcements: I successfully defended my dissertation today, and I'll be returning to University of South Florida as an assistant professor in economics this fall!! So excited to be a Bull again! 🤘
February 26, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Excited to share two big announcements: I successfully defended my dissertation today, and I'll be returning to University of South Florida as an assistant professor in economics this fall!! So excited to be a Bull again! 🤘
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
As promised, today @rooseveltinstitute.org releases a blog post previewing our topline findings from @jacklandry.bsky.social and my upcoming paper analyzing the impacts and costs of the SSI Restoration act of 2024!
rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/how-to-...
rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/how-to-...
How to Reduce Poverty Among SSI Recipients: Modeling the Impact of the SSI Restoration Act
Over the last year my colleague Jack Landry and I have been working to quantify the impacts and costs of a family of policy proposals meant to reform the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, a ...
rooseveltinstitute.org
February 5, 2026 at 5:08 PM
As promised, today @rooseveltinstitute.org releases a blog post previewing our topline findings from @jacklandry.bsky.social and my upcoming paper analyzing the impacts and costs of the SSI Restoration act of 2024!
rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/how-to-...
rooseveltinstitute.org/blog/how-to-...
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
Last February, the Trump administration zeroed out funding for all six Retirement and Disability Research Consortia across the country. They called them “wasteful government DEI programs.”
The total annual cost of all six centers? $15 million.
The total annual cost of all six centers? $15 million.
January 29, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Last February, the Trump administration zeroed out funding for all six Retirement and Disability Research Consortia across the country. They called them “wasteful government DEI programs.”
The total annual cost of all six centers? $15 million.
The total annual cost of all six centers? $15 million.
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
You know the REAL worst part of ChatGPT? Its over-reliance on em dashes in write-ups has made some people think seeing them in writing is indicative of LLM usage
No no no: I’ve been over-relying on/misusing em dashes for *decades* — my culture is not a costume
No no no: I’ve been over-relying on/misusing em dashes for *decades* — my culture is not a costume
January 14, 2026 at 4:40 PM
You know the REAL worst part of ChatGPT? Its over-reliance on em dashes in write-ups has made some people think seeing them in writing is indicative of LLM usage
No no no: I’ve been over-relying on/misusing em dashes for *decades* — my culture is not a costume
No no no: I’ve been over-relying on/misusing em dashes for *decades* — my culture is not a costume
Reposted by Melissa Gentry
These authors wanted to know whether people with physical disabilities face discrimination in hiring: even when they are equally qualified.
So they ran an experiment.
So they ran an experiment.
January 13, 2026 at 1:06 AM
These authors wanted to know whether people with physical disabilities face discrimination in hiring: even when they are equally qualified.
So they ran an experiment.
So they ran an experiment.