Radcliffe Public Policy Center appoints new associate director

Pamela Stone, a sociologist specializing in work and gender, assumed her position as the new associate director of the Radcliffe Public Policy Center (RPPC) on Sept. 5. A former Radcliffe fellow and department chair at Hunter College, Stone holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Duke University and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University.

“We are excited to have a researcher of Pam’s caliber joining the center. Her work in the area of work, family, and gender inequality dovetails perfectly with the founding theme of the center,” said RPPC Director Paula Rayman.

As part of her duties as associate director, Stone plans to complete a book based on the research that she began as a fellow at the center. Her project focuses on women who leave high-powered careers to become stay-at-home moms. She explores why these women reject the corporate climb for more family time. In addition, Stone will oversee the center’s fellows and publications programs as well as help to develop future research on the study of women, work, and the economy.

Reflecting on her reasons for joining the center, Stone said, “I’ve always been interested in policy-related research. My own research has covered a variety of topics related to women and work. … Now, in my current project, I’m bringing a lot of these issues together as I look at how professional women – who’ve achieved notable success in breaking into traditionally male-dominated bastions – integrate their work and family responsibilities, and the implications of the different strategies they use.”