Join us for IWPR’s 2026 Power+ Summit, The Power Grid: Driving Gender Equity Forward, taking place September 28–29 in Detroit, MI.
Together, we will spark bold ideas, share breakthroughs, and shape the future of gender equity.
WASHINGTON, D.C. June 25 – The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) is proud to announce that Dr.
Robert Drago joined the staff as Director of Research in June. Dr. Drago recently served as Senior Economist at the Joint
Economic Committee of Congress and Professor of Labor Studies and Women’s Studies at The Pennsylvania State
University. He was previously a Professor of Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he served as
Director of the Masters in Human Resources and Labor Relations Program. Dr. Drago earned his doctorate in Economics
at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 1983 and specializes in policy and research on work/family issues,
including paid sick days. Dr. Drago’s recent books include Unlevel Playing Fields: Understanding Wage Inequality and
Discrimination, and Striking a Balance: Work, Family, Life. Recent among his more than 100 scholarly articles include
“The Parenting of Infants: A Time-Use Study,” and “Work-Family Policies and the Avoidance of Bias Against
Caregiving.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Drago to IWPR,” said Heidi Hartmann, Ph.D., President of IWPR. “His expertise as a labor
economist, leadership within the work/life field, and dedication to gender equality will make him an invaluable asset to
our organization, and I look forward to collaborating with him as he leads our research team forward to new and exciting
projects.”
Barbara Gault, Ph.D., IWPR’s previous Director of Research, became IWPR’s Executive Director in April, 2009. In this
capacity, Dr. Gault oversees the Institute’s daily operations, while Heidi Hartmann, Ph.D., continues to serve as President,
providing strategic direction and focusing on the organization’s external relations. Both Dr. Gault and Dr. Hartmann
remain active in key research initiatives and in developing new projects.
“Dr. Gault’s policy research acumen and management skills have been critical to IWPR’s organizational development and
to the growth of our programs across a number of key research areas, including postsecondary education and training, job
quality, and early care and education,” said Dr. Hartmann. “We are proud to have her leadership as we forge a strong
future for IWPR by building its internal structure, its programs, and its partnerships.”
Prior to joining IWPR in 1997, Dr. Gault conducted research at the Office of Children’s Health Policy Research at Albert
Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia and served as a staff and board member of organizations promoting human rights
in Latin America. She received her doctorate in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with high
distinction from the University of Michigan.
IWPR welcomes the new capabilities and opportunities that these staff changes bring to the organization.
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The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) conducts rigorous research and disseminates its findings to address the needs of
women, promote public dialogue, and strengthen families, communities, and societies. The Institute works with policymakers,
scholars, and public interest groups to design, execute, and disseminate research that illuminates economic and social policy issues
affecting women and their families, and to build a network of individuals and organizations that conduct and use women-oriented
policy research. IWPR’s work is supported by foundation grants, government grants and contracts, donations from individuals, and
contributions from organizations and corporations. IWPR is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization that also works in affiliation with
the women’s studies and public policy programs at The George Washington University. For more information, visit www.iwpr.org or
call 202/785-5100.