Michael Sherraden

Michael Sherraden is the founding director of the Center for Social Development at the Brown School. Working with colleagues at CSD and many partners, Sherraden creates and tests innovations to improve social and economic well-being.

He has defined and informed a growing body of applied research and policy to promote inclusion in asset building. This work has influenced asset-based policies and programs in the U.S. and many other countries. His research results have also informed inclusive and progressive child development accounts (CDAs) in St. Louis, other U.S. cities and states, and internationally. In addition, Sherraden’s research on Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s contributed to the creation of AmeriCorps, and he was in attendance for the signing of the bill at the White House.

Sherraden was elected to the inaugural class of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, served on the board, and has provided leadership in the national initiative Grand Challenges in Social Work. Among other awards, he has been a Fulbright Scholar and listed by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Sherraden’s teaching currently focuses on social policy, social innovation, and effective strategies in applied social science.

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