Mendenhall research focuseson issues of social inequality over the life course and the role of publicpolicy and individuals’ agency in facilitating social and economicmobility. She uses quantitative andqualitative methods to analyze administrative welfare and employment data,census data, in-depth interviews, and focus group data. Her multi-site research study, Investing in Enduring Resources using theEarned Income Tax Credit, examines how low- to moderate-income families usetheir EITC for social and economic mobility in Champaign and Boston. She also does research on the GautreauxAssisted Housing Program in Chicago, which is one of the nation’s largestdesegregation programs.