I examine the impact of specific policy interventions and financial products on families' ability to withstand economic shocks, manage debt, and access mainstream financial services, thereby enhancing their overall financial security.

1. Job loss during COVID-19 on early retirement withdrawals: A moderated-mediation analysis

   Zheng, H., Roll, S., Despard, M. (2024). Journal of Consumer Affairs, 58(3), 715–741.

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2. The Child Tax Credit Expansion and Financial Well-Being: Evidence from Families’ Emergency Savings and High-Cost Financial Resource Usage

   Roll, S., Zheng, H., Hamilton, L., Chun, Y., Despard, M. (forthcoming). Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research.

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3. Access to Employer Benefits and Financial Insecurity Among Frontline Healthcare Workers

   Despard, M., Zheng, H., Fox-Dichter, S., (2023). Compensation & Benefits Review, 55(4), 123–141.

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4. Student Loan Policies and Payments during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Closing the Gap or Widening Inequalities?

   Jabbari, J., Terada, T., Zheng, H., Roll, S. (2024). Journal of Student Financial Aid, 53(2), 3.

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5. The Impact of Grocery Store Rewards Cards on Saving and Asset Accumulation in Children’s Savings Account Programs

   Elliott, W., Sorensen, N., O'Brien, M., Chen, Z., Starks, B., Zheng, H. (2023). Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 14(4), 757-784.

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6. A Cross-Sectional Examination of Educational Expectation Among Welfare Users in an Asset Building Program

   Chen, Z., O'Brien, M., Nielsen, S., Zheng, H., Starks, B., (2025). Global Social Welfare, 12(1), 1-11.

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I investigate systemic issues contributing to wealth disparities and poverty, proposing structural reforms, policy platforms, and innovative pathways to foster economic opportunity and mobility for disadvantaged groups.

1. Historical Harms and Racial Wealth Inequality: Evidence from Homeownership and Retirement Savings Accounts

   Zheng, H., Huang, J., Sherraden, M. (2025). Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy.

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2. A Policy Platform to Deliver Black Reparations: Building on Evidence from Child Development Accounts

   Shanks, T. R., Huang, J., Elliott, W., Zheng, H., Clancy, M. M., Sherraden, M. (2024). RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 10(3), 92-111.

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3. How Did Reskilling During the COVID-19 Pandemic Relate to Entrepreneurship and Optimism? Barriers, Opportunities, and Implications for Equity

   Jabbari, J., Zheng, H., Roll, S., Auguste, D., Heller, O. (2024). Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 45(2), 410-429.

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4. Who Stays Poor and Who Doesn’t? An Analysis Based on Joint Assessment of Income and Assets

   Chen, J.-H., Wu, C.-F., Zheng, H. (2024). Journal of Social Policy, 53(3), 595-616.

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I explore how policies and interventions, particularly asset-building programs like Children's Savings Accounts, influence educational outcomes, aspirations, and the long-term economic trajectories of children and families, emphasizing the role of financial capability in promoting intergenerational mobility.

1. The Role of Children’s Savings Accounts in Promoting Savings for College Among Welfare Recipients: The Case of Harold Alfond College Challenge (HACC)

   Zheng, H., Harris, E., Elliott, W., O'Brien, M. (2023). Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 44(2), 285-396.

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2. Using Children’s Savings Accounts and Early Awards to Build College Savings among Welfare Recipients: The Case of Promise Scholars

   Zheng, H., Elliott, W., O'Brien, M. (2022). Journal of Poverty, 26(4), 297-321.

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3. A Step Toward Measuring Children’s College-Bound Identity in Children’s Savings Accounts Programs: The Case of Promise Scholars

   Elliott, W., Zheng, H., Sabol, T., O'Brien, M. (2021). Children and Youth Services Review, 121, 105791.

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4. Examining Parental Educational Expectations in One of the Oldest Children’s Savings Account Programs in the Country: The Harold Alfond College Challenge

   Chen, Z., Elliott, W., Wang, K., Zhang, A., Zheng, H. (2020). Children and Youth Services Review, 108, 104582.

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