James Riccio

James A. Riccio is director of the Low-Wage Workers and Communities policy area at MDRC, a national not-for-profit social research organization. He specializes in evaluations of programs to improve labor market and quality-of-life outcomes for low-income populations.  Currently he is directing a randomized trial testing a conditional cash transfer (CCT) program in NYC (Opportunity NYC-Family Rewards), and is overseeing a related evaluation of work incentives and a Family Self-Sufficiency program for NYC recipients of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. He leads an MDRC team that, with other partners, is testing five anti-poverty initiatives supported by the federal Social Innovation Fund. He is a principal adviser on MDRC’s study of a MacArthur Foundation community change initiative in Chicago (the New Communities Program). Previously, he led evaluations of an employment advancement program in Britain and Jobs-Plus, an employment intervention in public housing. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Princeton University.

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