In our rapidly changing economy, managing work and family responsibilities is challenging for men and women across the socioeconomic spectrum. Increasingly, the demands of modern work and the structures of modern work organizations clash with the demands of modern parenting norms and expectations. Societal shifts, such as rising childcare costs, work hours, and wage inequalities, shape a range of critical outcomes, including:
-
the health and well-being of parents and children
-
workers’ ability to pursue a career and create a family life they desire
-
gender inequalities in the labor market and in families
In partnership with public and private sector leaders, the lab: 1) researches the organizational and societal mechanisms that can facilitate well-being and gender equality for working families, and 2) produces novel, evidence-based and actionable solutions to work-family challenges.
The lab produces impact-oriented research in four thematic areas: 1) Technological Change, including the rise of remote work and AI, 2) Organizational Policies, Practices, and Norms, 3) Careers, including STEM and entrepreneurship, and 4) Cultural Beliefs about Work, Family, and Gender.
The laboratory is directed by Professor Sarah Thébaud. Team members include Graduate Director of Research Madison Avila and Graduate Research Fellow Bomi Kim. The lab was founded by the Broom Center's Families, Gender and Work Area Director Professor Sarah Thébaud in 2025.