Cynthia Hess, Ph.D.

About Cynthia Hess, Ph.D.

Cynthia Hess is Chief Operating Officer (COO) at IWPR and Scholar in Residence at American University. In her role as COO, Cynthia oversees the operations of the Institute while working with program staff to support the execution of research and other projects. As COO, Cynthia serves as a member of the executive leadership team within the organization and works closely with the President and staff to develop and implement organizational systems and processes to maximize efficiency and support future growth. Prior to her position as COO, Cynthia served as Associate Director of Research, directing IWPR’s research on numerous issues including projects on intimate partner violence, workforce development, and women’s leadership and activism. Under her tenure, IWPR expanded its longstanding Status of Women in States project and launched an accompanying website, statusofwomendata.org. Cynthia has been quoted in a number of media outlets including The Washington Post, Fortune, Governing magazine and, The Boston Globe. Before joining the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, Dr. Hess taught for two years as a visiting faculty member in the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She received her Ph.D. in Theology from Yale University and her A.B. from Davidson College.

Integrating Workforce Development Programs and Pregnancy Prevention Services

This briefing paper explores the availability of and need for pregnancy prevention services among individuals enrolled in job training in the United States.

By Cynthia Hess, Ph.D.|2020-08-10T02:44:53-05:00February 13, 2020|Briefing Paper, Center for the Economics of Reproductive Health|Comments Off on Integrating Workforce Development Programs and Pregnancy Prevention Services

Providing Unpaid Household and Care Work in the United States: Uncovering Inequality

In the United States, women spend considerably more time than men over their lifetime doing unpaid household and care work. The unequal distribution of this work—work that is essential for families and societies to thrive—not only limits women’s career choices and economic empowerment, but also affects their overall health and well-being.

By Jeff Hayes, Cynthia Hess, Ph.D. and Tanima Ahmed|2021-10-28T13:30:26-05:00January 20, 2020|Economic, Security, Mobility, and Equity|Comments Off on Providing Unpaid Household and Care Work in the United States: Uncovering Inequality

The Future of Care Work: Improving the Quality of America’s Fastest-Growing Jobs

Paid adult care work jobs are expected to increase substantially in the coming years, due to both an aging population and a comparatively low risk of automation for many of these jobs.

By Cynthia Hess, Ph.D. and Ariane Hegewisch|2020-08-10T01:44:47-05:00September 23, 2019|Economic, Security, Mobility, and Equity, Report|Comments Off on The Future of Care Work: Improving the Quality of America’s Fastest-Growing Jobs

Assets for Equity: Building Wealth for Women in Central Ohio

Building wealth is integral to women’s economic security, good health, and overall well-being. Wealth—the value of assets minus debts—enables women to weather unexpected economic hardships and provides them with resources that allow them to have proactive control over their lives, giving them the chance to pursue educational degrees, business ventures, or other opportunities without accruing significant debt.

By Elyse Shaw, Cynthia Hess, Ph.D., Chandra Childers, Jeff Hayes and Adiam Tesfaselassie|2020-10-12T01:03:01-05:00April 24, 2019|IWPR|Comments Off on Assets for Equity: Building Wealth for Women in Central Ohio

Dreams Deferred: A Survey on the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Survivors’ Education, Careers, and Economic Security

This report examines the educational, career, and economic effects of intimate partner violence by presenting findings from a survey of 164 survivors developed by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) and administered at transitional housing programs, shelters, and other domestic violence programs in 11 states and the District of Columbia.

By Cynthia Hess, Ph.D. and Alona Del Rosario|2020-09-08T15:00:35-05:00October 24, 2018|Report|0 Comments

Sexual Harassment and Assault at Work: Understanding the Costs

Through a review of the current literature on sexual harassment and assault, this briefing paper highlights how workplace sexual harassment and assault affect women’s economic advancement and security, and the costs of these harms to employers (including estimates of financial losses where available). It also provides recommendations for preventing sexual harassment and reducing the negative effects of harassment for individuals and workplaces.

By Elyse Shaw, Ariane Hegewisch and Cynthia Hess, Ph.D.|2021-08-04T19:03:27-05:00October 15, 2018|Briefing Paper|0 Comments

Basic Economic Security in Washington

Economic security is a critical part of the overall health and well-being of Washington’s women, men, and children. To have economic security, working adults must have enough income to meet their basic monthly expenses—such as housing, food, transportation, and child care expenses—and save for emergencies and retirement.

By Jooyeoun Suh, Ph.D., Cynthia Hess, Ph.D. and Jeff Hayes|2020-10-14T02:07:12-05:00September 1, 2018|IWPR|Comments Off on Basic Economic Security in Washington

Basic Economic Security in Wisconsin

Economic security is a critical part of the overall health and well-being of Wisconsin’s women, men, and children. To have economic security, working adults must have enough income to meet their basic monthly expenses—such as housing, food, transportation, and child care expenses—and save for emergencies and retirement.

By Jooyeoun Suh, Ph.D., Cynthia Hess, Ph.D. and Jeff Hayes|2020-10-14T02:09:32-05:00September 1, 2018|IWPR|Comments Off on Basic Economic Security in Wisconsin

Basic Economic Security in West Virginia

Economic security is a critical part of the overall health and well-being of West Virginia’s women, men, and children. To have economic security, working adults must have enough income to meet their basic monthly expenses—such as housing, food, transportation, and child care expenses—and save for emergencies and retirement.

By Jooyeoun Suh, Ph.D., Cynthia Hess, Ph.D. and Jeff Hayes|2020-10-14T02:11:29-05:00September 1, 2018|IWPR|Comments Off on Basic Economic Security in West Virginia

Basic Economic Security in Wyoming

Economic security is a critical part of the overall health and well-being of Wyoming’s women, men, and children. To have economic security, working adults must have enough income to meet their basic monthly expenses—such as housing, food, transportation, and child care expenses—and save for emergencies and retirement.

By Jooyeoun Suh, Ph.D., Cynthia Hess, Ph.D. and Jeff Hayes|2020-10-14T02:14:29-05:00September 1, 2018|IWPR|Comments Off on Basic Economic Security in Wyoming