Kelli A. Bird

About

Kelli Bird is a research associate professor of public policy at the University of Virginia Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Her research focuses on policies and strategies aimed to improve postsecondary education and workforce outcomes, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Throughout her work, she applies a wide set of rigorous quantitative methods: randomized controlled trials; quasi-experimental methods using econometric models of causal inference; predictive analytics with machine learning models; and detailed descriptive analyses. Her current research portfolio is focused on evaluating intensive college advising initiatives and workforce training programs.

Bird’s research has been published in several highly regarded economics, public policy, and education journals. Her work is generously funded by several public and private organizations, most recently Arnold Ventures, Ascendium Education Group, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Institute for Education Sciences. Her research has been cited in the New York Times, and was included in the 2023 Economic Report of the President.